Knowing how to properly use a fire extinguisher can be decisive at a given moment; hopefully, you’ll never need to use one, but if the situation arises, it’s important to know how to do it. Keep in mind that if you ever need one, you’ll likely be in a dangerous situation where nerves can get the better of you.
A quick and efficient response is the best way to prevent the fire from spreading.
Below, we explain what a fire extinguisher is, what types exist, and how to use one to put out a fire.
What is a fire extinguisher? How many types are there?
A fire extinguisher is a portable and highly resistant metal container designed to store a pressurized extinguishing agent.
There are different types and sizes of extinguishers, from small ones (1 kg), for private vehicles for example, to the largest, which are mounted on a wheeled cart for easier transport.
As we’ve already mentioned on our blog, each extinguishing agent has specific properties that make it suitable for use in one or more types of fire. It is just as important to know these differences in order to choose the right extinguisher as it is to know how to use it properly.
There is no single extinguishing agent that can protect us from all types of fires, so it is essential to choose the one that best suits the fuel present or the potential cause of fire in your home or business.
Depending on the type of fire, extinguishers can be classified as follows:
- Class A extinguisher: for fires involving solid fuels such as wood, cardboard, or plastic.
- Class B extinguisher: for fires involving liquid fuels such as oil, paint, or gasoline.
- Class C extinguisher: for fires involving gaseous fuels such as butane or propane.
- Class D extinguisher: for fires where the fuel is a metal, such as magnesium, aluminum powder, or sodium.
- Class E extinguisher: for fires where the fuel conducts electricity or involves electrical equipment, for example, a spark in a circuit or a fault in an electrical panel.
The extinguishing agent is a compound capable of putting out the fire. Each one is designed for specific risks. Thus, you can find extinguishers filled with:
- Dry chemical powder: suitable for Class A, B, C, and electrical fires.
- Water and water with additives: for Class A and B fires.
- Foam (AFFF): for Class A and B fires.
- Gas (CO₂): for Class A, B, C, and electrical fires.
- Potassium acetate: for Class B and C fires, specially designed to fight fires caused by oils and fats.
- Halogenated compounds: for Class B, C, and electrical fires.
The 21A / 113B dry chemical extinguisher is the most common type and is the minimum required, for example, in the case of a company. You can read more about legal requirements for companies here.
The most common extinguisher in the home is the ABC dry chemical extinguisher, since these are the most frequent risks in households. However, near an electrical panel, it is likely you will see a Class E CO₂ extinguisher.
The 5 Steps to Using a Fire Extinguisher
If you find yourself needing to use a fire extinguisher, follow these steps:
- Make sure the extinguisher is charged and take it down. Check the pressure gauge, if it has one; the needle should be in the green zone. If not, locate another extinguisher as quickly as possible.
- Remove the safety seal. Pull the safety pin to be able to press the handle.
- Double-check that the extinguisher is charged. Press the handle to ensure that the extinguishing agent comes out before moving toward the fire. You must do this before approaching the flames so as not to waste time carrying a non-functioning extinguisher and to avoid the danger of getting too close to the fire.
- Position yourself at a safe and effective distance. Always maintain a safe distance of approximately 1.5 to 2 meters from the flames. Position yourself with the wind at your back: as much as possible, make sure that smoke and flames are not blowing toward you.
- Aim at the base of the flames and move in a ZIG-ZAG motion. With the extinguisher held vertically, direct the stream at the base of the flame, where the fire is originating. Move the hose from left to right or top to bottom (if it’s a vertical fire) so you’re not just aiming at one spot at the base of the flames.
Finally, but no less important, remember these tips:
Never turn your back on the fire: while using the extinguisher, never face away from the flames—not even when the fire seems extinguished, as it could reignite and catch you off guard.
Use all available extinguishers at the same time: if there are several extinguishers, it’s more effective to use them simultaneously with multiple people than one after another.
Make sure the fire is fully extinguished: take precautions to ensure the flames can’t reignite. Completely empty the extinguisher(s) used—this is the safest approach, and you’re not wasting anything since extinguishers must be recharged after use even if not fully emptied.
To avoid scares and problems, it’s very important to consider fire extinguisher maintenance, because if they aren’t in working condition when needed, they won’t be of much use. More information on legally required inspections here.
In homes and hospitality or food-service businesses, it’s especially useful to have, in addition to extinguishers, smoke and natural gas detectors. These devices trigger an audible alarm and can even send an alert to the Alarm Receiving Center. In this way, safety levels are significantly increased.
In any risky situation, contact emergency services.
En Seguridade A1 podemos asesorarte sobre extinción e prevención de incendios e intrusión segundo as túas necesidades exactas. Contacta con nós para solicitar un orzamento a medida sen compromiso.
At Seguridade A1, we can advise you on fire and intrusion prevention and suppression, according to your exact needs. Contact us to request a no-obligation customized quote.
Remember that we are security specialists, and our 24-hour Alarm Receiving Center is located in Santiago de Compostela. We also have offices in Madrid and Alicante, but we provide security systems and services throughout Galicia, nearly all of Spain, and even abroad.
Comprehensive security in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country (Euskadi), Navarre, La Rioja, Aragon, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Andalusia, Extremadura, Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, and Castilla y León.
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