5 Surprising Facts You Need to Know About Fire Extinguishers

How much do we actually know about fire extinguishers, despite the fact that they are an essential tool for preventing fires? In this blog post, we'll look at five surprising facts regarding fire extinguishers.

There are various types of fire extinguishers for various types of fires.

You may not know that each type of fire requires a different type of fire extinguisher. The four main categories of fires are Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D fires. Wood, paper, and textiles are frequently engaged in class A fires as usual. Class B fires often involve combustible liquids like oil and gasoline. Class C fires involve electrical equipment, whereas Class D flames involve combustible metals. Each type of fire needs a certain type of fire extinguisher in order to be extinguished safely and effectively. Knowing which sort of fire extinguisher to use depends on the type of fire is crucial.

Extinguishers for fires have a shelf life.

Fire extinguishers have a shelf life, despite the fact that they could seem like a one-time investment. The extinguisher's chemical components have the propensity to deteriorate with time, becoming less effective when needed. Although fire extinguishers typically last ten years, it's crucial to review the manufacturer's instructions for each particular type of extinguisher.

Regularly Maintaining Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers can only be used effectively if they are in good functioning condition. Regular servicing is required to keep them completely charged, undamaged, and in good working condition. Once a year, a licensed professional should inspect fire extinguishers to ensure they are in good working order and will put out a fire if necessary.

Fire extinguishers have more uses besides putting out fires.

Did you know that fire extinguishers can be used for purposes other than extinguishing flames? Also, one can utilize them to protect themselves against an aggressor. Use the extinguisher's contents to squirt water in the attacker's face to scare them and provide a distraction so you can run away.

Usage of Fire Extinguishers for Lifesaving

Finally, it's important to remember that fire extinguishers can save lives. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that around 80% of fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms or fire extinguishers. By maintaining a fire extinguisher and being knowledgeable about its appropriate use, you can aid in preventing a small fire from spreading to a fatal level.

As a crucial component of fire safety, everyone should have a fire extinguisher in their home or place of business. By just being aware of the many extinguisher kinds, their expiration dates, the necessity of routine maintenance, the variety of applications they can be used for, and how they can save lives, you can better prepare yourself and your loved ones for potential fire emergencies.