Classifications of Fire Extinguishers For Home Use

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

While we tend to think of fire extinguishers as a necessity for commercial properties, they can also be beneficial in home fire safety as well.

Whenever you visit a store or commercial building, a fire extinguisher typically isn’t terribly difficult to find. How often, however, do you see a fire extinguisher when visiting the homes of friends and family? While we tend to only think of fire extinguishers as a necessity for commercial properties, they can also be beneficial in homes and other types of residential properties. You may be wondering: “what kind of fire extinguisher is best for my home?” There are several different classifications of fire extinguishers made for various types of fires. Keep reading for a run-down of the three primary fire extinguishers classifications that offer the most benefits to residential properties. 

1. Class A Fire Extinguishers

The first class of fire extinguishers beneficial to homes is Class A. These types of fire extinguishers work to put out fires ignited by household flammable objects such as paper, wood, and cloth. If purchasing a Class A fire extinguisher, it would be most effective when kept in your living room and another common area. 

2. Class B Fire Extinguishers

For fires started as a result of combustible liquids, including propane, grease, and gasoline, Class B is the way to go. It is best to store Class B fire extinguishers in workspaces such as workshops, sheds, and garages, as this is where the majority of fires resulting from combustible liquids ignite. 

3. Class C Fire Extinguishers

Lastly, Class C fire extinguishers combat electrical fires. Often, these kinds of fires are sparked by malfunctions in electrical equipment, appliances, and tools of different kinds. Keep this kind of fire extinguisher in the vicinity of wherever the most electrical appliances are used, such as kitchens or workshops.

Multipurpose Fire Extinguishers

If your home’s needs require coverage for more than one of the classifications listed above, you’re in luck. Multipurpose fire extinguishers, which combat certain combinations of these classifications or all three of them, can be purchased at most hardware stores, listed as A-B, B-C, or A-B-C. These multipurpose fire extinguishers are recommended for homeowners, according to the National Fire Protection Agency, because of their versatility. 

Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO

It should be understood that fire extinguishers are not appropriate, thorough line of defense in every fire emergency. While fire extinguishers can be effective in smothering small, easily-containable fires, they cannot safely combat larger fires. Instead of grabbing the fire extinguisher in a large fire emergency, grab anyone living in your home and make your top priority getting everyone out safely. Let SERVPRO take it from there. Call your local SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team - Team Wall office, SERVPRO of Harrisburg West, at (717) 510-6779. Let our 24-Hour Emergency Services, in addition to our crews’ extensive knowledge and advanced technologies, put your mind at ease. Check out our website for more information about our Fire Damage Restoration services. We also offer Commercial Fire Damage Restoration services, which are tailored to the specific needs of commercial properties. Additionally, we are able to restore your property to its pre-fire loss condition through our odor removal and deodorization services and the careful attention that we give to your fire-damaged belongings. Even when armed with a fire extinguisher, fire emergencies can still occur. In the event that your residential or commercial property experiences a fire, trust SERVPRO Team Wall to make it “Like it never even happened.”