Fire Extinguishers -- Which One for Which Fire

Use the wrong extinguisher and you make it worse -- water on an electrical fire can kill you. The South African fire classes and which extinguisher matches which fire.

Fire classes (South Africa)

Class A	Ordinary combustibles -- wood, paper, fabric, plastics
Class B	Flammable liquids -- petrol, diesel, oils, paints, solvents
Class C	Flammable gases -- LPG, propane, acetylene
Class D	Combustible metals -- magnesium, sodium (industrial)
Class E (electrical)	Live electrical equipment -- boards, appliances, power tools
Class F	Cooking oils and fats

Which extinguisher for which fire

Water	Class A only -- never on electrical, liquids or cooking oil
Foam	Class A and B
Dry chemical powder (the common site all-rounder)	Class A, B, C and electrical
Carbon dioxide (CO2)	Class B and electrical -- clean, good for switchgear
Wet chemical	Class F (cooking oils) and A

Reference only. Match the extinguisher to the fire, then PASS -- pull, aim, squeeze, sweep. Only fight a fire if it is safe and you have an exit behind you. Site extinguishers must be serviced and SABS-marked per SANS. If in doubt, get out and call 10177.

Sources: SANS 1910 / SANS 10105 (fire extinguishers and classification) · OHS Act Environmental Regulations for Workplaces

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