Choosing a fire extinguisher can easily become an overwhelming task. There are so many to choose from that many simply pick one that is either easy to mount or one that is the cheapest unit they can find. Neither is a good solution so there are some important things to consider when you are ready to buy a suppression unit of your own.

No matter how safe you are fires can easily occur and in an instant your life is in jeopardy. Buying the right unit placed perfectly by an exit can help keep all fires at bay till fire fighters arrive. Those who have looked for a extinguisher in the past has probably come across a series of letters that describe each unit.

Each home suppression unit will either be one of three classes, A, B, C, D and K. A class A unit is one that is meant for suppression of ordinary combustible things such as paper, cardboard, wood and plastics. These units will also have a number posted somewhere on the canister itself. This number is the representation of the amount of water contained inside. These units will also have a green triangle printed on the canister for easy identification.

Class B units are meant to suppress fires that involve combustible liquids. Combustible liquids will include oils, kerosene, gasoline and household grease. This unit will also contain numbers but these numbers do not represent the amount of water contained. Instead the numbers will represent the number of square footage of fire it can be used to suppress. A red square visually identifies this type of unit.

A class C unit will be used on fires involving electrical equipment such as appliances, circuit breakers and wiring that has caught fire as well as any wall outlets. Do not under any circumstances ever use water or a unit that contains water to try and put out this type of fire. There is a high probability of electrical shock occurring. This kinds of units will not have any number posted on the side and the reason these are marked C is because the suppression agent inside is non conductive. A blue circle is the visual identifier of this type of unit.

Class D and Class K units are specialty units. A class D unit is meant for use in a laboratory setting. These fires will usually involve metals such as titanium and magnesium. The important thing to remember is that they are not for general purpose so a lab will have other units on hand as well. A class K unit is meant for restaurants or other large scale cooking operations. These units are specifically designed for use on trans-fats and other kinds of fats and oils that restaurants will generally have.

When choosing a fire extinguisher you should have a primary unit and a secondary unit on hand. The primary unit or units and will be strategically placed on every level of the home and no more then 45 feet apart. A secondary unit is not required but generally speaking recommended. This unit is usually a class B unit and is mounted somewhere in the kitchen. This should be placed near the cooking area, so it is within reach.

Choosing a fire extinguisher is vital for any home. It is easy to be overwhelmed when trying to decide, remember either classifications or the colored symbol posted on the unit. Buy the appropriate number of primary units and consider getting a backup one as well.

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Author Bio: Fire Protection Toronto is essential in saving lives. Find out more about creating a safety plan Toronto and ensuring your fire extinguishers Toronto are up to code.

Category: Home Management
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