It is likely that most of us will see
water fire extinguishers every day but have never needed to use one. For this reason we have decided to write a blog post including information on what type of fire you can use water fire extinguishers on, how to use them, where they can be found. At the end of it we hope you will be better informed and if you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in a situation where you need to use a
fire extinguisher you’ll know exactly what to do.
What Type Of Fire Is a Water Extinguisher Used For?
Water fire extinguishers are only suitable for use on class A fires which are those involving solid combustibles like wood, paper and textiles. Because they extinguish fires by using water to cool them down and as such contain no harmful chemicals, this type of extinguisher is safe to use in environments where there are children, food and vulnerable adults. The types of fire that you should never use a water fire extinguisher on are:
- Class B Fires – These include flammable liquids such as petrol and paint
- Class C Fires – This Type of fire are those that involve flammable gases like methane and butane
- Class F Fires – Involving oil and grease a good example of these are chip pan fires
One thing to be aware of is that water fire extinguishers should never be used on electrical fires as this is extremely dangerous and could lead to you being electrocuted.
How Does a Water Fire Extinguisher Work?
Water fire extinguishers work by cooling down a fire and lowering the overall temperature which means that it is not possible for the fire to continue burning. One of the main benefits of water fire extinguishers is that it puts out fires quickly and has no detrimental impact on the environment. The main downside to water fire based extinguishers is that they can only be used on one type of fire.
What Colour is a Water Fire Extinguisher?
Water based fire extinguishers are usually red in colour with a white coloured label that states Water on it. Occasionally you may see a water extinguisher in a chrome finish with a red label on it. It is essential that you make sure you are using the correct type of extinguisher if you have to put out a fire as using an unsuitable one will not only be ineffective but hazardous. Read our
fire extinguisher colour guide to find out more about fire extinguisher colours.
How Do You Use a Water Fire Extinguisher
This type of extinguisher is possibly the easiest and safest one to use because basically you just point it at the flames and spray. Just take out the safety pin breaking the anti tamper seal and point at the base of the fire and squeeze the handle. Continue to spray until you are confident that the fire has been completely extinguished. Always make sure you stand well back from the fire.
Where Are Water Fire Extinguishers Usually Found
The original
water based fire extinguishers have been replaced in some places by the more versatile foam extinguishers because they can be utilised on both class A and B fires. However, you will still find water extinguishers in areas where large amounts of combustible materials are stored. The list includes places like:
- Warehouses
- Storage units
- Paper mills
- Textile factories
Water fire extinguishers are often paired with CO2 extinguishers so that properties are also covered against the risk of electrical fires. If you are still unsure about what type of extinguisher is the most suitable for your particular needs why not
contact the team here at
Extinguishers Direct today.
