The letter on a fire extinguisher indicates its classification: Class A puts out ordinary combustible fires (wood, paper, plastic, etc.) Class B puts out flammable liquid fires (oil, gas, petroleum, etc.) Class C puts out electrical fires.
In practical terms, that means that if Fire Extinguisher 1 has a 4-A:80-B:C rating and Fire Extinguisher 2 has a 1-A:10-B:C rating, Fire Extinguisher 1 is… 4x more potent against Class A fires; 8x more potent against Class B fires; Both extinguishers can combat class C fires.
What Does the Number on a Fire Extinguisher Mean?
The number before the “A” increases with the size of the wood panel, indicating that the fire extinguisher can stop wood fires of larger and larger sizes. For example: An 8′ x 8′ panel: 1-A rating. A 10′ x 10′ panel: 2-A rating. A 12′ x 12′ panel: 3-A rating.
There are four classes of fire extinguishers – A, B, C and D – and each class can put out a different type of fire. Class A extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper. Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil.
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What do the numbers on a fire extinguisher mean?
Since Class A, B, and C fires are all found in conventional homes and businesses, ABC fire extinguishers are designed to put out all three types of fires. You might come across a fire extinguisher labeled 4A:20B:C. The numbers indicate the size rating of each extinguishing agent.
What does 2A mean on a fire extinguisher?
The Class A size rating represents the water equivalency. Each number represents 1 ¼ gallons of water. For instance, 2A means the extinguisher is just as effective as 2 ½ gallons of water. 4A is equivalent to 5 gallons of water.
What does 4A mean on a fire extinguisher?
One A is equivalent to 1.25 gallons of water, so a unit with a 4A rating has an equivalent of 5 gallons of water to battle Class A fires. B: The number in front of the "B" is a relative measure of the area an extinguisher can cover.
What is the difference between fire extinguisher 1 and 2?
In practical terms, that means that if Fire Extinguisher 1 has a 4-A:80-B:C rating and Fire Extinguisher 2 has a 1-A:10-B:C rating, Fire Extinguisher 1 is… Both extinguishers can combat class C fires.
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TYPES OF FIRE AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS | WHICH FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO BE USED ON WHICH CLASSES OF FIRE Video Answer
Reference:
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_extinguisher