No matter where you live or where you work, there is always the risk that a structural fire may start. A conveniently positioned fire extinguisher might be your first line of defense, and may save lives or property. Fire extinguishers are mandatory at places where the incidence of fire is very high, notably places like service stations and restaurants.

Fire extinguishers come in various different sizes. There are the heavy duty types that you can find at large factories. These ones may require more than one person to carry them conveniently. Then you have the portable styles that you find in small shops or homes.

There are 4 main types of fire extinguishers. They are categorized according to the types of combustible fuels they are designed to put out. We have Class A extinguishers that are used to put out fires made up of solid fuels (such as wood, paper, plastics etc.). The next class of fire extinguishers are the Class B extinguishers which are designed to put out liquid fires. This fire fighting equipment is most suitable for flammable liquids such as kerosene. The next class of extinguishers (Class C) are used for fires when there is electricity involved. This kind of fire extinguisher won’t conduct electricity back to the user and is safe to use if there is a suspicion that an electrical charge may be present. The final type of extinguishers are the ‘Class K’ versions. These units can be used on cooking oil fires in commercial kitchens.

In terms of how these devices operate, we have 2 main types of fire extinguishers. There is the stored pressure design, followed by the cartridge design. The pressure type has the particular substance that ultimately extinguishes the fire, along with a propellant of some kind inside the extinguisher itself. As you press the handle down, the extinguishing agent is expelled from the tank and a resulting powder gushes out from the nozzle to put out the fire. In the second design (the cartridge variant), there is no such pressure. Instead of this you have a tiny ancillary carbon dioxide cartridge that discharges into the cylinder when you depress the extinguisher’s handle. In this fashion it becomes converted to a stored pressure extinguisher which then puts out the fire.

As a principle, you should keep the extinguisher in a place that is simple to get to. It is best to keep them near escape routes or close to entrances and exits. You should not locate them higher than 4 feet off the ground, otherwise you’ll risk not being able to get it down. You might also consider storing them in places where they can be easily seen. It is not advisable to keep them inside cabinets or closets. As a safeguard make sure that you educate your household about where your extinguishers are located and what they need to do in case of fire.

Extinguishers require regular and proper upkeep. Usually they are serviced once a year by the manufacturer or by the Fire Department. Servicing involves cleaning the equipment, inspecting for corrosion and recharging of the gas which may have exceeded its expiry date. The technicians will also inspect the discharge nozzle and handles to see if they are in working condition.

Extinguishers are useful equipment. They protect your home, property and lives against fire. A small investment in their purchase can save you from huge losses and a great deal of inconvenience.