Fires can happen in every environment . So, how can you ensure workplace safety? You need the appropriate fire extinguisher according to your common workplace hazards (make sure your workers can recognize various hazards with Know the Code: Using the NFPA's Fire Diamond to Assess Hazards).
There are several different fire extinguishers to address the wide variety of fire hazards. The five main types of fire extinguishers suppress specific types of fires (see Fire Prevention Week for more fire safety tips):
- Use water fire extinguishers for fires involving common elements such as wood, straw, paper, or coal.
- You can use foam fire extinguishers on the same types of fires as water fire extinguishers. But, they a
lso work against flammable liquids such as petrol and paint.
- CO2 (carbon dioxide) fire extinguishers are best suited for electrical hazards. They can be effective against flammable liquids as well.
- Powder or multi-purpose fire extinguishers are an excellent option for worksites with several different types of fire hazards. They're ideal for a combination of hazards including flammable liquids, gas fires, and electrical fires.
- Wet chemical fire extinguishers fight very specific fire hazards. These hazards may include cooking oils and fats used in kitchens. But, this type of fire extinguisher can also suppress fires caused by wood, straw, paper, and coal.
You can combine some of these extinguisher types to combat more than one type of fire. This provides more effective coverage when considering a variety of fire hazards.
It's important to assess the size of your worksite, as well as your potential fire hazards. Then, you can determine the appropriate number and types of extinguishers for your needs.