Fire is a phenomenon that can occur anywhere with or without any sign of warning. Homes are particularly vulnerable to fire because of the presence of numerous flammable materials. Consumer electronics, home appliances, furniture, fabric, gas cylinders and kitchen oils are some of the common fuels for fire. Therefore, choosing the right fire extinguishers for the home becomes an essential part of ensuring the safety of occupants and neighbors.
When looking for fire extinguishers to install at home, making the right choice is important because not every firefighting equipment is made for all kinds of fire. In fact some of them may add fuel to the fire if the unsuitable type is discharged. In this guide, we will understand the different types of fire extinguishers that are used at home.
Common Household Fire Risks
A home has various kinds of fire hazards and each requires unique approach of handling.
- Solid Materials: Furniture wood, paper, fabric and other solid items are associated with fire Class A.
- Flammable fluid: Cleaning agents, fuels, cooking gas or solvents cause Class B.
- Flammable Gas: LPG or other cooking gases lead to Class C fire
- Kitchen Oils: Cooking oil is flammable when mixed with certain ingredient at high temperature, coming under Class F.
- Wiring faults, appliances, or overloaded sockets can cause electrical fire.
A fire extinguisher of suitable type and capacity must be installed in fire prone areas.
Fire Extinguisher For Overall Protection
For general home safety against fire accidents, ABC dry chemical powder is the best choice because of its versatile capacity and minimal cleaning requirement. It id designed to handle fire of Class A, B and C, from solid wood to flammable gas leaks. It contains additives that avoid clumping of powder and sticking to the surface. It can be installed in the entry point, near living room, and near kitchen.
For Electrical Risks
Electrical fires need to be dealt differently because of the risk presented by the live currents. The extinguishing agent needs to be non-conductive and safe. For this, Carbon Dioxide is a popular choice, while Clean Agent has emerged as a more efficient fire extinguisher. The carbon dioxide agent works by displacing oxygen, thereby cutting one of the elements in the fire triangle. Clean agent is used in confined spaces where lack of oxygen can lead to suffocation.
For Kitchen Oils
Cooking oils and fats have the added risk because it can hold energy for a longer duration, plus it can be re-ignited quickly. This requires a different agent, and Wet Chemical is the most suitable choice. It cools the burning oil and forms a layer over the surface, reducing the chance of the fire reigniting.
Conclusion
Making the right decision for buying fire extinguishers for the home helps in dealing with fire hazards related to solid, flammable liquid, gas and electrical equipment wires and sockets. The most practical extinguisher agents are ABC Dry Chemical Powder, Clean Agent, Carbon Dioxide and Wet Chemicals. If you want to buy the best range of fire extinguishers for your home, choose from Foamtech Antifire Company.
