What do the symbols on a fire extinguisher indicate? Explained by Sharing Culture
Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!
Asked by: Prof. Ian Gleichner IScore: 4.2/5 (60 votes)
Extinguishers are classified by a number and letter symbol. The number indicates the relative size of the extinguisher, and the letter indicates the type of fire it will extinguish. ... On Type B extinguishers, the number tells you the square footage of the fire the extinguisher can put out.
What does a fire extinguisher label tell you?
Most fire extinguishers will have a pictograph label telling you which classifications of fire the extinguisher is designed to fight. For example, a simple water extinguisher might have a label like the one below, indicating that it should only be used on Class A fires. Solid combustible materials that are not metals.
What is the symbol on a fire extinguisher designed for fires caused by live electricity?
Extinguishers that are suitable for Class B fires should be identified by a square containing the letter "B." A Class C fire extinguisher is used on fires that involve live electrical equipment, which require the use of electrically nonconductive extinguishing agents.
What does the symbol look like for fires involving electrical equipment?
The geometric symbol is the red square and the pictograph shows a fuel can in flames. Class C – for fires involving electrical equipment, like appliances, wiring, circuit breakers or outlets. You should never use water to extinguish a class C fire. ... The geometric symbol is the yellow star, or decagon.
Why do we need to know the type and markings on fire extinguishers?
Portable fire extinguisher may use the following markings to indicate which class of fire they are designed to fight. These symbols are recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the USA.
How do you read a fire extinguisher label?
The left side top number is the serial number of the extinguisher. Below the number will be a name and number stamp. The name should read the first and last name of the person who conducted the service. That technician's state id number is located below the name.
What do the letters ABC mean on a fire extinguisher?
An extinguisher with an ABC rating is suitable for use with fires involving ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and energized electrical equipment.
What are the ABC's of fire extinguishers?
ABC Fire Extinguishers
- Class A is for trash, wood, and paper.
- Class B is for liquids and gases.
- Class C is for energized electrical sources.
What does MP mean for fire extinguisher?
MP SERIES-Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical
These units contain specially fluidized and siliconized mono ammonium phosphate powder which smothers and breaks the chain reaction on Class B fires, fuses and insulates Class A fires, and, as a non-conductor of electricity, is effective on Class C fires.
What does the letter B on a B 1 fire extinguisher indicate?
Answer: The letter “b” indicates it is effective against flammable liquid fires. Step-by-step explanation: The letters on fire extinguishers represents the class of fire for which they can be used.
What are the 5 fire classifications?
Fire is divided into five classes (A, B, C, D, and K) that are primarily based on the fuel that is burning. This classification system helps to assess hazards and determine the most effective type of extinguishing agent.
What does 4A 80B C mean?
What does 4A 80B C mean? Amerex B456 – 10 lb ABC Fire Extinguisher 4A:80B:C Class B: Flammable Liquids-Gasoline, oil, grease, acetone (includes flammable gases).
What do the letters AB and C mean on a fire extinguisher?
The letter on a fire extinguisher indicates its classification: Class A puts out ordinary combustible fires (wood, paper, plastic, etc.) Class B puts out flammable liquid fires (oil, gas, petroleum, etc.) Class C puts out electrical fires.
What does the letter B on a B 1 fire extinguisher indicate quizlet?
What does the letter "B" on a B-1 fire extinguisher indicate? The type of fire it is designed to extinguish. What should you do before an inboard gasoline engine? Operate the blower for at least four minutes.
What is fire rating 21B?
Fire Rating. 8B. 13B. 21B. Suitable for Fire class B,C.
How do you read a fire extinguisher when it expires?
You can tell when a fire extinguisher expires by looking at the year and month punched on the tag. The extinguisher expires one year after the date indicated on the tag. The expiration date can be found at the bottom of the fire extinguisher tag.
How can you tell if a fire extinguisher is good?
Most fire extinguishers should have a pressure gauge with a red section and a green section. If the needle is in the green, you're good. If your extinguishers don't have a pressure gauge and you want to test them, press in the pin. If it pops back up, the extinguisher is pressurized.
What does 4A mean on a fire extinguisher?
The A rating is a water equivalency rating. Each A is equivalent to 1 1/4 gallons of water. 4A = 5 gallons of water. 2. The B:C rating is equivalent to the amount of square footage that the extinguisher can cover, handled by a professional.
What does 10A mean on a fire extinguisher?
The ratings on ABC fire extinguishers vary, but let's say the one available to you is 10A:120B:C. This means that the extinguisher is equivalent of having 12.5 gallons of water to fight a Class A fire and could cover 120 square feet of a Class B fire.
What are class AB and C fires?
Class B: Flammable liquids such as alcohol, ether, oil, gasoline and grease, which are best extinguished by smothering. Class C: Electrical equipment, appliances and wiring in which the use or a nonconductive extinguishing agent prevents injury from electrical shock. Don't use water.
What does 5 BC mean on a fire extinguisher?
Fire Away Class 5 BC Fire Extinguisher
Extinguisher is suitable for use on Class B (liquids and gases) and Class C fires (energized electrical equipment). ... Includes clear instruction label using graphics to show steps required to operate extinguisher.
What is a 80 BC fire extinguisher?
Class ABC, ULC 6A-80BC, with wall hook. Recommended for use on class A fires (wood, paper, fibers) and class B fires (flammable liquids and gas). Suitable for use on live electrical equipment (class C fires). Extinguishing agent contains monoammonium phosphate (yellow powder).
What extinguisher is Class C?
Tackling A Class C Fire
The only extinguisher which is safe to use on a Class C fire is a dry powder extinguisher. It works by cooling the flames until there is no longer enough heat to keep them burning. But using any other type of extinguisher will instead just spread the fuel and flames.
What are the 4 types of fire extinguishers?
There are four classes of fire extinguishers – A, B, C and D – and each class can put out a different type of fire.
- Class A extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper.
- Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil.
What are the 6 types of fire extinguishers?
The six main fire extinguisher types are water, foam, CO2, powder, water mist and wet chemical. Each of the different types of fire extinguisher is suitable for different fire classes.