Fire extinguishers are often used to extinguish or control small fires in emergency situations. Before using fire extinguishers, it is necessary to know type of fire. They are filled with different materials according to fire class and some of them can further strengthen the fire.

There are warning colors on fire extinguishers to distinguish them easily. All fire extinguishers have a descriptive color label and a red body. It is preferred because the red body is easy to see and has an emergency color.

FIRE CLASSES

Below are fire classes classified by Europe and the United States:

CLASS A

Fires from flammable materials such as wood, paper, fabric, rubber and plastic products. Its extinguishment and control are easier than other fires.

It can be extinguished by water, foam, dry powder and wet chemical extinguishers.

CLASS B

It is fires resulting from flammable liquids such as petrol, oil greases, tars, structures, oil-based paints, solvents, alcohols. Gas fires, such as propane and butane are in Class B fires while cooking oils and grease fires are not in class B fires.

It can be extinguished by foam, dry powder, and CO2 extinguishers.

CLASS C

In European standards (EN2), it is known as gases produced by flammable gases such as hydrogen and methane gases. In the United States standards, they are fires caused by electrical products such as computers, servers, motors, transformers, and household appliances.

They can be extinguished by dry powder fire extinguishers (according to European standards).

CLASS D

Magnesium is the fire caused by materials such as titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.

It can be extinguished by dry powder fire extinguishers.

ELECTRICAL FIRE

It called to be class C in the United States and Class E in Europe.

It can be extinguished by dry powder and CO2 fire extinguishers.

CLASS K OR F

They are fires caused by cooking oils.

It can be extinguished by wet chemical fire extinguishers.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER LABEL COLORS

RED SIGNAL – WATER EXTINGUISHER

Suitable for Class A fires only. It is used in buildings, office buildings, schools, hospitals, houses and warehouses made of wood and organic materials.

CREAM SIGNAL – FOAM EXTINGUISHER

It is suitable for Class B fires but can be applied in Class A fires. It is used in buildings, office buildings, schools, hospitals, houses and warehouses, wood areas and organic materials.

BLUE SIGNAL – DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHERS

Dry powder extinguishers, also called ABC fire extinguishers, are used in A, B, and C class fires. It is not preferred to use in closed areas because the dust damages the breathing pipes and cannot be easily cleaned. In addition to these fire classes, it can be used in some electrical fires and flammable metal fires. Enterprises that regularly use flammable gases are used in buildings with welded areas, garage front, and large boiler rooms.

BLACK SIGNAL – CO2 EXTINGUISHERS

Usually, they are used in electrical fires that occur in computer server rooms. In addition, Class B fires can also be extinguished. 2 Kg CO2 extinguisher should be used as a standard.

YELLOW SIGNAL – WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS

It is a special extinguisher designed for use in fires (class F) with cooking oils and solid structures. Canteens, restaurants, professional kitchens should be used.