Pick the Right Extinguisher for the Job
So, we’ve convinced you a fire extinguisher represents an integral part of your home fire safety plan. Now what? You need to be able to identify the right fire extinguisher for your home.
Extinguishers for home use are generally available at your local hardware and multi-purpose mega stores. But, wait. Before you grab one off the shelves and head for the checkout, read the information provided on the equipment to make sure it suits your specific purpose.
First, remember your fire classification information: A for general combustibles like wood and paper; B for flammable liquids and C for electrical fires. Determine what fire dangers exist for the room(s) the extinguisher will be mounted in. Look for the letter rating on the extinguisher. To make it easier, most extinguishers have multiple ratings: AB, BC or ABC. Obviously, the ABC would be your best bet. However, if the equipment will be mounted in a garage with no electrical wiring, an AB would work just as well.
Class A and B extinguishers also include a numerical rating: 1-A: 20-B for instance. Class C extinguishers will not have numerical ratings. The number represents the size of fire an experienced person can expect to extinguish. Class A numbers range from 1 to 10; B numbers range from 20 to 80. If you’re standing in front of the extinguisher display trying to figure out how large a “1″ is compared to a “10,” the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) requirements may help. An extinguisher with a rating of 3-A: 40-B:C meets the NFPA requirements for living areas, garages and workshops.
Weight is another factor to consider. A home extinguisher should be light enough to be easily used by most family members. The ABC-rated dry chemical extinguishers can weigh from a very light 5-pounds to an adult size 25-pounds. Many home extinguishers come with mounting systems–either a wall-mounting bracket or hook. This is preferable to sticking your extinguisher on a window sill or shelf and expecting it to be there when you need it.
So, you’ve read all the information on the units to ensure they meet your needs and hefted the equipment to determine how easy it will be to use by other family members; now you’re ready to head for the checkout.
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