Types of Fire Extinguishers

There are five primary types of fire extinguishers, each designed to put out different kinds of fires.

 There are also multipurpose fire extinguishers that might be labeled “B-C” or “A-B-C.” Most home improvement stores carry multipurpose fire extinguishers that cover class A through class C.

When to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers can be helpful on a small fire. Consider providing a checklist to help people prepare to use a fire extinguisher on a potential fire. For example:

• Have I alerted others in the building that there’s a fire?
• Has someone called the fire department?
• Am I physically able to use a fire extinguisher?
• Is the fire small and contained in a single object (like a pan or a wastebasket)?
• Am I safe from the fire’s toxic smoke?
• Do I have a clear escape route?

Use a fire extinguisher when all of these questions are answered “yes.” If you’re unsure about whether or not it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher, and for all other situations, alert others, leave the building, and call 9-1-1 from a mobile or neighbor’s phone. It is not recommended that children use fire extinguishers.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

When operating a fire extinguisher, remember the word P-A-S-S:

• P: Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
• A: Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• S: Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• S: Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

• Easy access in an emergency. Be sure nothing is blocking or limiting your ability to reach it.
• Recommended pressure level. Many extinguishers have gauges that show when the pressure is too high or too low.
• Working parts. Make sure the can, hoses and nozzles aren’t damaged, dented, or rusted.
• Cleanliness. Remove any dust, oil, or grease that might be on the outside of the extinguisher.
• Guidelines and Instructions. Some extinguishers need to be shaken monthly; others need to be pressure tested every few years. Consult the manufacturers’ instructions for specifics.

Home Fire Extinguisher Disposal

• Look on the label of the fire extinguisher for the manufacturer name
• Go to the manufacturer’s website to see if the extinguisher has a recall
  • If the extinguisher has a recall, contact the manufacturer to provide instructions on safe handling and disposal of the fire extinguisher
• If the fire extinguisher does not have a recall, take the following steps to properly empty the extinguisher and dispose of it properly
  • Take the fire extinguisher outside to a well-ventilated area
  • Wear protective eyewear (plastic goggles, safety glasses, etc) and a mask to protect your eyes and lungs. Some fire extinguishers can contain contents that irritate the eyes and lungs
  • Keep pets and children away from the fire extinguisher
  • Place a large, plastic trash bag on the end of the fire extinguisher hose. Secure the bag to the end of the hose with a rubber band, and secure the bag with one hand at the same location
  • Hold fire extinguisher upside down, so the base is pointing towards the sky
  • Pull the pin and squeeze the handles together. This will cause the extinguisher agent inside the extinguisher to be released into the plastic bag
  • Keep handles depressed until nothing more comes out of the extinguisher
  • Carefully remove the plastic bag from the end of the extinguisher hose, close and seal the bag and place into the regular trash
  • Place the extinguisher in a cool, dry place and check the pressure gauge periodically
  • Once the pressure gauge needle on the fire extinguisher is below zero, the fire extinguisher may be placed in your regular trash for disposal
• To dispose of a fire extinguisher by visiting a Wake County convenience center, please visit Wake County Government Convenience Centers for specifics