The importance of Fire Extinguisher in Waterloo can never be over stressed. It is strongly recommended that homeowners and office buildings keep several fire extinguishers in easily accessible locations. This enables them to be easily found in the event of a fire outbreak. They should be situated in the kitchen area, in the garage, around electrical setups and at least one on each floor.
There are many kinds of extinguishers and the type to be used depends on the nature of the fire. The alpha designation is prominently displayed on the extinguisher. The following are the different categories of fire and the type of extinguisher to be used.
Class A fires
If household items made from wood, fabric or cardboard are on fire, the best extinguisher to be used is water. Extinguishers which are labeled “A” contains water and can be used to put out such fires. This is the only category of fire where water is useful. If water is used on other types of fire, it may have no effect, or even worse make the situation even more dangerous. For instance, fires caused by grease can be spread by water and when water is used in electrical fires, it conducts the electricity and will shock anyone it comes in contact with.
Class B fires
These kinds of fires are caused by oil, grease, kerosene, gasoline, and other flammable liquids. It is more common in the kitchen and the garage and as such, extinguishers marked B and BC should be placed in those areas. These extinguishers comprise of dry chemicals such as bicarbonate of soda that has been pressurized into a foam base.
Class C fires
This is used for fires caused by electrical equipment. A BC extinguisher can also be used in electrical fires. There is a difference between electronic and electrical fires. The chemical foam should not be sprayed near entertainment devices and computers. Instead, carbon dioxide extinguishers are to be used for extinguishing fires that occur near electronic and other delicate equipment. Halon is excellent for electronic fire outbreak, but for those who are ozone layer conscious, Halotron is the better option. Purchasing the right kind of Fire Extinguisher in Waterloo may be a life saver. Contact Iowa Fire Control for more information and inquiries on the best kind of fire extinguisher to use.
