Types of Fires 

The chart below identifies the types of fires that occur.

TYPES OF FIRES
CLASS A	Ordinary Combustibles: Wood, paper, rubber, cloth, trash and other ordinary materials
CLASS B	Flammable Liquids & Gases: Gasoline, oils, paint, lacquer and tar
CLASS C	Fires Involving Live Electrical Equipment
CLASS D	Combustibles Metals Or Combustible Metal Alloys Magnesium, titanium, potassium, zirconium, lithium and sodium
CLASS K	Fires In Cooking Appliances That Involve Combustible Cooking Media: Vegetable or animal oils and fats

Types of Fire Extinguishers 

The types of fire extinguishers usually found in industrial, commercial and residential environments are listed below.

TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Fire Extinguishers	Types of Fires	Picture Symbols
ABC MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL	Ordinary Combustibles Flammable Liquids & Gases Live Electrical Equipment
BC DRY CHEMICAL	Flammable Liquids & Gases Live Electrical Equipment
PURPLE K DRY CHEMICAL	Flammable Liquids & Gases Live Electrical Equipment
CLASS D DRY POWDER	Combustibles Metals Or Combustible Metal Alloys
CLASS K WET CHEMICAL	Fires In Cooking Appliances That Involve Combustible Cooking Media
WATER	Ordinary Combustibles
CARBON DIOXIDE	Flammable Liquids & Gases Live Electrical Equipment
CLEANGUARD HALOTRON 1 HALON 1211	Flammable Liquids & Gases Live Electrical Equipment OR Ordinary Combustibles Flammable Liquids & Gases Live Electrical Equipment

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance 

Inspection – Inspection refers to a "quick check” of a fire extinguisher to make sure that it is available and will operate if needed. It is intended to give reasonable assurance that the fire extinguisher is fully charged and operable. The fire extinguisher must be checked to make sure it is in its designated place, and that there is no obvious physical damage or condition to prevent operation. Fire extinguishers must be inspected when initially placed in service and thereafter at 30-day intervals.

Maintenance – Maintenance is a thorough examination of the fire extinguisher. It is intended to give greater assurance that a fire extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination and any necessary repair or replacement. It will normally reveal if a recharge, six-year tear down or a hydrostatic test is needed. Maintenance on fire extinguishers must be performed annually.

Recharge – A fire extinguisher must be recharged after any use. When a fire extinguisher is recharged, it is emptied of all its contents and essential mechanical parts are dismantled, inspected and cleaned. At this time, any defective or worn parts are identified and replaced. The cylinder is then filled with the extinguishing agent, reassembled and pressurized.

Six-Year Tear Down – A six-year tear down is an "internal inspection” of the fire extinguisher to verify that all mechanical parts are working properly and that the agent has not been contaminated. The fire extinguisher must be emptied and subjected to the applicable maintenance procedures. Once the fire extinguisher is inspected internally, it is recharged and returned to service.

Hydrostatic Testing - Stored-pressure fire extinguishers must be hydrostatically tested at certain time intervals by following procedures specified by NFPA and DOT (National Fire Protection Association and Department of Transportation). A hydrostatic test is a "pressure test". It is performed on an extinguisher cylinder to check for structural weaknesses or flaws. An external inspection of the cylinder is also performed to check for excess pitting, corrosion, or other physical deformities. In addition, an internal inspection is performed on the extinguisher before it is recharged and returned to service.