When it comes to fire safety, having the right home fire extinguisher is essential. Knowing what size of fire extinguisher you need can help ensure that you are prepared in case of a fire emergency in your home.
In this article, I will cover the different types of portable fire extinguishers and how to determine what size you need for your home to help keep you safe.
But, before I get started I do want to remind you that if you feel you are in danger from the fire, that it’s more important to leave the area immediately vs. trying to fight it.
A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the #1 priority for residents is to get out safely.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
When choosing a fire extinguisher, you need to consider the type and the size. Both of those are dependent on what type of fire your home is most likely to suffer and the size of the area the fire could occur.
So, a fire extinguisher in the kitchen could be a different size and type than a fire extinguisher in the office or the garage. A small unit can be used for a small fire like one on the stovetop, or lit candles. Larger fires such as those involving flammable liquids require larger fire extinguishers.
This means that it’s important to be aware of the fire risks in each room / area of your house.
In order to identify the fire risks in your home, you should start by making note of the type of flammable materials and appliances that are in each room. If a certain room has plenty of combustible materials such as paper, furniture, or electronics, it is important to consider installing a smoke detector for extra protection.
Additionally, take stock of any potential ignition sources such as an electric space heater, stove, or oven.
It may seem silly to take the time for this kind of inventory but it really could save your life and the lives of your family and pets.
So, let’s look at all of these factors so that you can make the most informed decision about what the best fire extinguisher(s) could be for your home.
Types Of Fire Extinguishers
Before we talk about what size extinguisher you should get, let’s talk a bit about the different types of units that are available and what is most suitable for a home environment.
Fire extinguishers come in a variety of sizes and are designed to tackle different kinds of fires.
When it comes to the types of fire extinguishers, there are five main types including wet chemical, CO2, dry powder, foam and water. In order to meet the current regulations, it is important for you to have the exact type of fire extinguisher that is needed for your premises.
Fire Risk Assessment Network
The most common type for home use is the ABC fire extinguisher, which can be used on Class A (ordinary combustible materials like wood and paper), Class B (flammable liquids like gas and oil) and Class C (energized electrical equipment, electrical fires).
There are also specialized fire extinguishers designed for other types of fires such as kitchen grease fires, combustible metal fires, or Halon-based fire extinguishers.
What Kind Of Fire Extinguisher Would Be Best For Grease Fires
For fires involving grease and oil, a Class K fire extinguisher is the best choice. This type of dry chemical extinguisher is designed to smother and cool fires that involve combustible cooking oils, animal fats, and greases.
For grease fires at home, which are most often due to cooking oil, you can also use extinguisher sprays (vs a fire extinguisher). These may be easier to use.
Ougist Fire Extinguisher Spray
- INNOVATIVE HOME FIRE-FIGHTING SOLUTION: Discover the superior fire-fighting capabilities of our home fire extinguisher, a compact and powerful ally in any domestic setting. Combining 97% negative ion water with 3% innovative low-temperature agent, this fire extinguisher for home use is crafted for swift action and re-ignition prevention, ensuring a safe, clean outcome without any residue. A simple wipe is all it takes to clear any signs of a fire incident, streamlining post-fire cleanup.
- DEPENDABLE PROTECTION FOR EVERY SPACE: Whether it’s a kitchen fire extinguisher you need or protection for your vehicle, our portable fire extinguisher is there for you. Providing maximum safety within a 13-foot range, it’s perfect for handling fire emergencies in the kitchen, in your car, or even in your business. Its versatile temperature range of -4℉ to 200℉ guarantees performance in various environments, solidifying its role as a small fire extinguisher with a big impact.
- DESIGNED FOR PORTABLE: Our sleek, small fire extinguisher is tailor-made for convenience, fitting unobtrusively in your backpack, car trunk, or nestled in any corner of your boat or vehicle. Measuring 11.7 inches in height and 3.3 inches in width, and with a capacity of 640ml, it’s the ideal car fire extinguisher for those unexpected fire threats, ensuring you’re always prepared, no matter where your travels take you.
The Different Classes Of Fires
The class of fire extinguisher you will use in each room will be determined by the type of fire that could occur in that room. There are generally 3 classes of fire (3 types) that would occur in a residential home.
Class A Fires
For Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles which includes materials such as paper, wood, or cloth, the best fire extinguisher is a multipurpose ABC extinguisher.
This type of extinguisher contains a pressurized mixture of monoammonium phosphate and other dry chemicals that quickly smother the flames. These are also known as a dry powder extinguisher.
Class B Fires
For Class B fires, which involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, ethanol, and grease, the best fire extinguisher is a carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher.
These types of fires would most likely occur in the garage area of your home. But, they can also be used to fight grease fires in the kitchen. The majority of home fires start in the kitchen.
A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is a pressurized cylinder which contains liquid carbon dioxide that can be projected onto a fire to smother it. It works by displacing oxygen, starving the fire of its fuel source and causing it to go out.
Class C Fires
For Class C fires, which involve electrical equipment or energized sources. An extinguisher rated C is the best choice, as it will not conduct electricity back to the user.
It is important to note that, for these types of fires, you should disconnect the power source before attempting to use a fire extinguisher. Otherwise, you run the risk of electrocution.
With so many different fire extinguishers available, it’s important to recognize and understand what type of fire class you are dealing with. This helps you to choose the right type of unit for your safety.
What Sizes Do Fire Extinguishers Come In?
When it comes to fire safety, having the right fire extinguisher size on hand is key!
- Smaller sized options can fit nicely in homes and offices for convenience.
- Medium-sized ones are ideal for commercial settings where an increased response time may be needed.
- Large models should always accompany industrial operations as they’re perfect for use with bigger fires that require extra assistance and quicker response times.
Fire extinguishers range from 1.25 lbs to 30 lbs. The larger the canister, the heavier the weight and the more square feet it can cover to help distinguish a fire.
With a fire extinguisher, size does matter! Not only will the larger sized models contain more of an essential extinguishing agent – allowing you to tackle all types of fires for longer periods of time – but it can make all the difference in successfully containing any imminent danger.
Of course, if you are unable to handle a 30 lb fire extinguisher, there’s no point in having that to use so choose one that you can safely and quickly handle.
How Do You Know What Size Fire Extinguisher To Get?
Follow these steps to choose the correct size fire extinguisher:
- Consider the size of the room where you are placing the fire extinguisher. An average size room could be made safer with a smaller (around 5 lbs) unit.
- Consider what type of fire could occur in the room. An office could most likely suffer from a paper fire. A kitchen could suffer from a grease fire. Any room in the house could suffer from an electrical fire.
- Consider how much weight you can safely and efficiently handle. If you are unable to handle a 20 lb unit then consider having two 10 lb fire extinguishers on hand in that room.
Learn To Use A Fire Extinguisher
I just want to add that there’s no point in having fire extinguishers in your home if you’re unaware of how to use them. And watching a Youtube video once probably won’t suffice.
So, let me go over the simple steps here on how to use a fire extinguisher and I’ll include a video in this article. BUT, I would recommend that you go over this information either quarterly, or twice a year to refresh your memory.
After all, practice makes perfect.
How To Use A Fire Extinguisher In 7 Steps
This method is called the P-A-S-S method. (just so you know!).
Also, before you pick up a fire extinguisher, I recommend that you never attempt to put out a fire if you feel at risk.
1. Pull the safety pin and hold the extinguisher upright – Find the ring and then pull it in an upward motion. Once this is done, you can move to step two.
2. Aim low at the base of the fire – Now that your fire extinguisher is ready for use, you need to aim it low at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the trigger slowly and evenly – With your fire extinguisher facing the fire, you need to squeeze the trigger slowly and evenly in order to release an even stream of extinguishing agent onto the flames.
4. Sweep from side to side – Once the extinguishing agent is released, you need to sweep the nozzle from side to side in order to ensure that all of the flames are extinguished.
5. Repeat steps until fire is out – You may need to repeat steps two through four until all of the flames have been put out.
6. Leave the area – Wait a minute or two and once you are sure that all of the flames have been extinguished, make sure to leave the area and call 911 or your local fire department.
7. Replace or recharge the fire extinguisher – After you have successfully put out a fire, it is important to replace or recharge the fire extinguisher in order to prepare for future use. Fire extinguishers should be replaced every five years and recharged after being used.
Best Fire Extinguishers For Your Home
Here is a small list of some of the best fire extinguisher products for you to consider for your home.
Residential Fire Extinguishers
- First Alert’s HOME1 FE1A10GR Fire Extinguisher is UL rated 1-A: 10-B:C; it features durable all-metal construction with a commercial-grade metal valve and trigger to meet demanding needs
- Multipurpose fire extinguisher fights wood, paper, trash, plastics, gasoline, oil, and electrical-equipment fires
- First Alert’s Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher can be recharged by a certified professional after use, allowing for reuse.
Rechargeable Fire Extinguishers
- The First Alert HOME2PRO Fire Extinguisher is UL rated 2-A: 10-B:C and meets minimum 2-A: 10-B:C code requirements; It features durable all-metal construction with a commercial-grade metal valve and trigger
- Heavy-duty fire extinguisher fights wood, paper, trash, plastics, gasoline, oil, and electrical-equipment fires; ideal for offices, homes, and workshops
- Uses mono ammonium phosphate extinguishing agent; Rechargeable by certified professionals after use
Other Fire Safety Products For Your Home
Besides fire extinguishers, there are other fire safety products that every house should have. These include:
- Smoke Detector with a loud smoke alarm
- Fire blanket
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Fire ladder
- Emergency escape route – okay this is not necessarily a product but it’s certainly something that you should have in place (and practice) in case of a fire.
In conclusion, fire extinguishers are a great tool to have in your home or business in case of a fire emergency. It is important to know how to properly and safely use these extinguishers if you ever need them for protection.
By following the steps above, you will be able to effectively put out a fire if an emergency occurs.
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