The most common causes of fires are unattended cooking appliances, electrical faults and failing to extinguish open flames from candles and cigarettes. Did you know though that not all fire extinguishers can be used for all types of fires?
The British Standards Institution classifies the different types of fire extinguishers with colour codes. The five main types are:
1-Water extinguishers.
Identified by a red label, these put out fires in wood, paper and textiles but should not be used on electrical fires or on flammable liquids or gases.
2-Foam extinguishers.
Identified by a cream label, these extinguish fires in solids and flammable liquids but should not be used on electrical fires.
3-Dry powder extinguishers.
Identified by a blue label, these extinguishers can be used on all types of fire, including electrical fires and flammable liquids and gases.
4-CO2 extinguishers.
Identified by a black label, these extinguishers are designed for use on electrical fires, though they are also effective on flammable liquids. They should not be used on solids or cooking oil fires.
5-Wet chemical extinguishers.
Identified by a yellow label, these extinguishers are specially designed for cooking oil fires. They can in extremis be used on solid fires.
The importance of colour coding.
All fire alarms Milton Keynes will be colour coded as described above. When you purchase a fire from a specialist such as https://isefireproducts.co.uk/fire-alarm-systems/milton-keynes/, they will advise you as to which is best suited to your specific needs.
By selecting the right fire extinguisher, you can respond more quickly and mitigate your losses.
