Fire Extinguisher Signage Regulations

Fire remains one of the biggest killers in the U.S. With more people living in cities, in closer proximity than ever before, it is vitally important that individuals understand how to tackle a fire before it gets out of control. Being able to do so won't just save your life, it could very well save the lives of your family, friends and neighbors. The U.S. government has put regulations in place to ensure that fire extinguisher signs are clear and immediately comprehensible.

Class A: Ordinary combustibles

• Cloth, wood, rubber, paper and many types of plastics are grouped together as 'ordinary combustibles'. When dealing with a fire started by any of these materials you should use a Class A extinguisher. Class A fire extinguishers are recognizable by the letter 'A' in a green triangle and a pictogram depicting a wastepaper bin with ordinary combustible materials burning beside it. Class A fire extinguishers are the most common in apartment blocks and residential housing areas.

Class B: Flammable liquids

• Class B fire extinguishers are used to put out fires started by flammable liquids. This may include fires started by grease, gasoline, oil or oil-based paints. This type of fire has a tendency to spread very quickly so it is important that you react immediately to an outbreak. Class B extinguishers are recognizable by the letter B in a red square and a pictogram of an oil can by a fire.

Class C: Electrical equipment

• As we become ever more reliant on technology, electrical fires are becoming more common. The cause of this type of fire could be an appliance being left on too long, a fuse blowing or a fire that engulfs the plug socket. For this type of fire use a Class C extinguisher, which has the letter C in a blue circle clearly visible on its sign, along with a pictogram showing an electrical plug socket catching fire.

Class D: Flammable metals

• Unless you happen to be employed in an industrial workplace, it is not likely that you will encounter this type of fire. Still, it is worth knowing which extinguisher to use. Fires started by metals are tackled with a Class D extinguisher, which has the symbol of a D in a yellow star and a pictogram of a workbench going up in flames. Class D differs slightly from other classifications of fire extinguishers, in that there are different types of extinguishers within the Class D classification, each used for a different type of metal fire.

Class K: Combustible cooking

• Class K fire extinguishers are predominantly found in professional kitchens. They are used to tackle fires started by vegetable oils, animal fats or other types of oil used in cooking. Class K extinguishers are recognizable by a black letter K on a white background alongside a pictogram of a frying pan on fire. This type of fire extinguisher is becoming more common in residential apartments as a way of tackling chip-pan and other domestic kitchen fires.