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Fire Extinguisher FAQs

By March 8, 2017Fire Safety News
Fire Extinguisher

Should you choose to invest in a fire extinguisher in your building, you need to understand what level of protection this system is offering you. Your fire extinguisher needs to be in full working order at all times. We’ve put together a few FAQs that you may have regarding this fire protection Toronto system.

How Many Fire Extinguishers Should I Get For Adequate Protection?

The number of fire extinguishers needed in a building will depend on several things. First, you have to consider the layout of the building as well as how prone it is to fire hazards. If investing in Class A fire extinguishers, the general rule is to have 75ft of space between them. However, for Class B fire extinguishers, a space of 50ft between them is normally recommended.

What Does The Classification On Fire Extinguishers Represent?

You’ve probably noticed that fire extinguishers come in different classifications usually represented by an alphanumeric rating. This rating simply represents the type and size of fire that it can extinguish. For instance:

Class A fire extinguishers can be used to put out fires from ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper and plastic.

Class B fire extinguishers can also be used to put out fires from flammable liquids like oil, gas and petroleum.

Class C fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires from electrical equipment.
Class D fire extinguishers are used against fires from metals.

Class E fire extinguishers are recommended to put our fires involving cooking oils and fats.

Fire extinguishers are also classified using numbers. For instance, 2A fire extinguisher is able to put out fire as effectively as 2 ½ gallons of water. Another common classification is the one that indicates the amount of square feet the fire extinguisher can put out. A good example is the 20:BC fire extinguisher which is able to put out a fire over 20 sq ft.

How Often Should My Fire Extinguishers Be Inspected?

You can have regular inspections as often as on a monthly basis just to ensure that the device is performing well and has adequate pressure. This monthly inspection doesn’t need to be done by an expert. Other than the simple testing done on a month by month basis, you also need complete fire extinguisher maintenance at least once a year.

What’s The Best Fire Extinguisher For A Restaurant Building?

Kitchens are very prone to fires. Having a suitable fire extinguisher for this kind of environment will help to ensure everyone is safe and fire hazards are kept under control. Grease fires, which are common in commercial kitchens, require Class K fire extinguishers to put out. These are extinguishers that are designed to prevent re-flash and ensure the fire is completely put out.

Do I Need Training To Use A Fire Extinguisher?

According to OSHA, employees should be trained on how to use fire extinguishers and other fire protection systems in their building. Training helps occupants of the building to understand the basics of using a fire extinguisher and how to take control of the situation in the event of a fire hazard.