More information: Fire Classes


Types of fire

There are different types of fire. Before extinguishing a fire, determine what exactly is burning.
All combustible substances are divided into groups (classes). These fire classes range from A (solids) to F (oils and fats).


*see explanation below


Fire class A

A means that the extinguisher has an extinguishing agent to extinguish fires in solids. Solids of organic origin: such as wood, paper, straw, plastics, coal. The extinguishing agent used can be water (the extinguisher then has a silver color: this in contrast to the other extinguishers. The pressure vessel is then painted red) or the extinguishing agent is a special type of powder. Another extinguisher is the so-called hose reel. Because fire hose reels are associated with possible legionella infections, the hose reel main valves must be sealed and flushed at regular intervals.


Fire class B means that the extinguisher has an extinguishing agent to extinguish liquid fires, such as oil, gasoline, alcohol, some plastics, fats and bitumen. Extinguishing agents used are: Powder, CO2 and Foam, such as FFF (triple F) and AFFF (A triple F).

 

 


Fire class C means that the extinguisher has an extinguishing agent to extinguish gas fires, such as propane, butane and natural gas. Extinguishing substances used are CO2 and foam (Foam is a wet extinguisher)

Sometimes fire classes are combined, for example an ABC extinguisher (also known as glow powder). Powder extinguishers are often referred to as these fire classes. The glow powder can enclose a smoldering solid effectively smothering it.


Fire class Dmeans that the extinguisher has an extinguishing agent to extinguish metal fires. Metal fires are fires involving magnesium, zirconium, lithium, potassium or sodium, and which are very difficult if not impossible, to extinguish with the above fire extinguishers. The extinguishing agent is a certain type of powder that is spread over the burning metal. Metal fires are particularly fierce (such as magnesium fires; remember that magnesium is used in fireworks and flash cubes). The extinguisher then states that there is a D (powder) extinguisher or ABCD powder extinguisher.


Fire class E means that the extinguisher has an extinguishing agent to extinguish fires caused by electricity. However, fire class E was abolished in 1987 in the Netherlands. Electricity can be a cause of fire, but it is the electrical components that burn and that fall under fire class A (solids) or B (liquids) plastics melt in a fire. For example, a short circuit causes a television to burn. This television is made of a plastic. There is then a fire class B fire and not an E. B because electronic equipment is often made of plastics (plastics, including melting substances) fall under class B (liquids).


Fire class F means that the extinguisher has an extinguishing agent to extinguish fat fires (for example frying fat). Fat burning is difficult to extinguish with other extinguishing agents since re-ignition can take place. As soon as the temperature of oil or fat rises above 320 degrees Celsius, self-ignition takes place and the fat or oil catches fire spontaneously, so that no flame is kept. Because the temperature is so high any water from an extinguishing agent will evaporate explosively, as a result of which all the fuel (very hot fat) from the pan or deep-frying oven will be sprayed very finely by the resulting steam cloud. The cause of such fires can often be traced to malfunctioning temperature protections such as a broken thermostat, or the use of old or contaminated fat.

An F extinguisher is a new class with a certain type of foam (chemical or chemical extinguishing foam). This foam provides a gas-tight layer above the frying fat and has a strong cooling effect and partially mixes with the fat. Re-ignition is then no longer possible. Stalls that bake fries are best placed to hang an F extinguisher. It is wise to use a fat fire extinguisher that is equipped with a metal lance on the hose. This allows extinguishing from a safe distance. See the supplement under ‘other types’. It is wise to use a fat fire extinguisher that is equipped with a metal lance on the hose. This allows extinguishing from a safe distance. See the supplement under ‘other types’. It is wise to use a fat fire extinguisher that is equipped with a metal lance on the hose. This allows extinguishing from a safe distance. See the supplement under ‘other types’.

The modern fire class F fire extinguishers contain a content that mixes with the fat and makes it into a non-combustible substance. The material enters into an emulsion with the fat. A fat fire generally falls under fire class F with a capacity that is larger than 5 liters, because insufficient extinguishing capacity cannot be achieved with the regular extinguishing agents to prevent re-ignition.

FSH DIRECT uses a specific extinguishing agent which has been specially developed to combat fire class F fires. We will gladly explain this product to you in a personal conversation.