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All commercial and industrial buildings are mandated to maintain proactive measures against workplace fire. They must also provide the right commercial fire extinguishers specific to the industry and train employees on every aspect of fire safety.
At All Security Equipment, we value workplace safety. We offer various commercial fire extinguishers from Amerex to contain various fire hazards.
Types of Fire
Fires have different causes and can only be extinguished with the correct type of fire extinguisher. Using the wrong type can be ineffective and may even cause explosions, electric shocks, or spread the fire further. Generally, fires are classified into five different categories:
- Class A. Fires that result from ordinary combustible materials like plastic, paper, wood, cloth, etc.
- Class B. This is when flammable and combustible liquids like oil, paint, solvent, and gasoline cause fires.
- Class C. This includes fires that involve energized electrical equipment.
- Class D. These fires are caused by flammable metals such as lithium, magnesium, aluminum, zirconium, potassium, sodium, or titanium.
- Class K. These fires are due to oils and grease that often occur in the kitchen.
Types of Commercial Fire Extinguishers
Fire protection safety plans should include different fire suppression systems, such as smoke detectors, fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, and commercial fire extinguishers.
Commercial fire extinguishers come in different types for different typical uses.
Water-Based Fire Extinguishers (Class A)
Used for Class A fires, water-based fire extinguishers can put out fires involving combustible materials. It soaks the materials and reduces the temperature to suppress the burning. This is not a suitable solution for grease and electrical fires since it may cause the grease to spread the fire further and can risk electrocution.
A class A fire extinguisher can be used in offices, schools, and some retail establishments. If the temperature in your area gets below freezing, look for water extinguishers with antifreeze properties. Water mist fire extinguishers are used in Class A fires when a potential Class C exists.
CO2 Fire Extinguisher (Class B and C)
CO2 fire extinguishers are intended for Class B (flammable liquids) and Class C (electrical) fires only. The CO2 removes oxygen from the fire and suffocates it.
A CO2 fire extinguisher cannot remove much oxygen from combustible materials, making it unsuitable for Class A fires. This fire extinguisher is best for electrical commercial buildings, food preparation areas, and laboratories because it does not leave a residue behind.
Dry Chemical Extinguishers (Class A, B, and C)
Also known as ABC fire extinguishers, the dry chemical in these extinguishers is used against three classes of fires. It is considered the most versatile extinguishing agent and interrupts the chemical reaction that happens when materials burn.
ABC dry chemical is valuable in all commercial establishments and can be used with other extinguisher types. However, it may not be very ideal for use in small offices. The powder leaves a residue that is harmful when inhaled.
Class D Extinguishers
Class D fire extinguishers are only applicable to combustible metal. They are filled with dry powder, usually a blend of granular sodium chloride, powdered graphite or copper. The powder creates a barrier between the metal and oxygen to suppress the fire.
A Class D fire extinguisher is dangerous to use on Class ABC fires. It is only applicable to industries that handle reactive metals, such as the auto, aircraft, and factory industries.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers (Class K)
Class K fire extinguishers are mainly used in kitchen fire suppression. It is an excellent extinguishing agent for burning oil and fat. The wet chemical has a cooling effect, which causes fat saponification and prevents its reignition.
Commercial kitchens, food processing facilities and restaurants should keep a wet chemical fire extinguisher handy in case of an accidental fire.
Halotron Fire Extinguisher
A Halotron fire extinguisher is used for class B and C fires. Its chemical composition is also effective on Class A fires that CO2 may not handle.
Halotron is used as an alternative to Halon, which is mainly used in portable fire extinguishers. Halon is considered a clean extinguishing agent by the National Fire Protection Association. However, it faced some environmental concerns. This is where Halotron takes its place as a cleaner alternative.
Halotron can be used in telecommunications, computer rooms, storage areas, electronics and vehicle fires.
Purple K Fire Extinguisher
The Purple K, or PKP fire extinguisher, contains specially fluidized and siliconized potassium bicarbonate. It can be used on Class B and C fires and is also ideal for oil, gasoline, chemical, and utility industries.
Purple K imparts a purple tint to the flame, hence the name. It is designated with the purple tank color to differentiate it from other dry chemicals.
OSHA Requirement for Commercial Fire Extinguisher
Depending on your jurisdiction, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) may have different regulations for commercial fire extinguishers. But generally, the standard sets the following requirements:
- All fire extinguishers must be mounted on the wall or in fire extinguisher cabinets, properly marked and accessible to all employees without causing them injuries.
- It must be located at a distance required by the fire class, such as no greater than 75 feet for Class A and 50 feet for Class B fires.
- Use only fire extinguishers that a nationally recognized testing laboratory approves.
- Portable and rechargeable fire extinguishers must be fully charged and inspected monthly to ensure they are not tampered with, work properly, and are in their designated place when not in use.
- All employees must undergo fire extinguisher training.
The Right Commercial Fire Extinguisher for Your Building
Understanding the fire emergency risk of your commercial building lets you know which type to purchase. To help make sure your commercial fire extinguisher is within the industry standard, All Security Equipment offers our line of products.
We cater to all types of anticipated fire risks, so you can choose all that apply to your workplace. Contact us for details, special orders and other related safety products.
