Not all fire extinguishers are created equally. It is imperative to know what kind of fire extinguisher you have in order to determine if using the contraption will actually aid in the elimination of the fire or aid in the spread. Water fire extinguishers are designed to fight fires fueled by basic combustibles such as paper, wood, or plastic. Water extinguishers will not slow or stop fires fueled by liquids such as fuel or grease. Water extinguishers are also not designed to fight electrical fires. Water and electricity do not mix. Alternatively, CO2 extinguishersare not recommended for wood or paper fueled fires. CO2 extinguishers are best at fighting electrical and liquid fires. Finally, Dry Chemical extinguishers are effective at fighting all three types of fires. Each type of extinguisher should have a label that denotes what it is best used for. Pay attention to these labels before the event of a fire. Do not wait until a catastrophe to discover what your extinguisher can and cannot do.
Tags: fire extinguishers