Fire extinguishers are an important part of any Fire Safety plan and should be selected based on the type of fire they will be used to extinguish. Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, or cloth, are best extinguished with water Fire Extinguishers. Class B fires, which involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, or paint, are best extinguished with dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or halon Fire Extinguishers. Class C fires, which involve energized electrical equipment, are best extinguished withdry chemical or carbon dioxide Fire Extinguishers. And finally, Class D fires, which involve combustible metals, are best extinguished with dry sand Fire Extinguishers. All fire extinguishers are now designed in a manner that allows them to be put into action swiftly when needed, but that also protects them from being damaged or accidentally discharged. The British Standard for the performance and characteristics of portable fire extinguishers is BS EN 3-7, something you should be on the lookout for when sourcing your fire extinguishers.
