Types of Fire Extinguishers

Become familiarized with the proper steps in operating fire extinguishers. The 3 basic types of fire are:

• A-type fires: This type of fire is designated by the letter symbol A in a triangle or the picture of a burning trash can. This extinguisher is used for ordinary combustibles such as cloth, wood, rubber, and many plastics.
• B-type fires: This type of fire is designated by the letter symbol B in a square or the picture of a burning gasoline can. This extinguisher is used for flammable liquids fires such as oil, gasoline, paints, lacquers, grease, and solvents.
• C-type fires: This type of fire is designated by the letter symbol C in a circle or an electrical plug on fire. This extinguisher is used for electrical fires such as in wiring, fuse boxes, energized electrical equipment, and other electrical sources.

The ABC Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Extinguisher is designed to extinguish all 3 types of fire. A fire extinguisher should be listed and labeled by an independent testing laboratory such as Factory Mutual (FM) or Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

How To Use a Fire Extinguisher

Remember the basics of using extinguishers. If you are called on to use your extinguisher to fight a fire,

just think of the word, PASS.

• P - Pull the safety pin at the top of the extinguisher
• A - Aim the nozzle, horn, or hose at the base of the flames
• S - Squeeze or press the handle
• S - Sweep from side-to-side 6 inches at the base of the fire until it goes out