What Do the Symbols On a Fire Extinguisher Indicate? [Classes]

Fire extinguishers come in different types, and they all serve the same purpose, which is to protect yourself by putting out the fire. Although all the fire extinguishers are used to put out fire, you must know about them, so it will be helpful to decide on which type of fire extinguisher will be suitable if you are planning to purchase one for your house. In this article, you will learn what do the symbols on a fire extinguisher indicate.

You might have seen fire extinguishers in many places, and if you are wondering what the symbols on a fire extinguisher say, then this article will help you gain some knowledge about those symbols. When you hear the word fire extinguisher, the first thing that will come to mind is the red cylinder, as most places will contain the red fire extinguisher. You must also know that there are different color cylinders like white, blue, and grey fire extinguishers.

Suppose you are planning to purchase a fire extinguisher or already have one at home, then better to know the meaning of the symbols on the cylinder. You might have seen the road signs, and if you know about driving just by looking at the symbol, you will understand the message that it is conveying. Similarly, the fire extinguisher will also have certain symbols.

By reading this article, you will be able to figure out what do the symbols on a fire extinguisher indicate. Although different brands and manufacturers are involved in producing these fire extinguishers, everyone will use the same symbols in their brand. Sometimes, you might see some slight differences from the original symbol. Now let’s try to understand what the symbols on a fire extinguisher indicate.

Fire Extinguisher

The fire extinguisher is the device you use to prevent small fire outbreaks. You can use this during an emergency and when it is possible to control the fire using the fire extinguisher so you will not need to call the fire brigade to check on the issue.

The fire brigade will be the best option in case of severe fire. When purchasing a fire extinguisher for the home, you must check on the classes to decide which type will be best suited for your place.

The next factor you must consider is the size of the cylinder. A large fire extinguisher will be more helpful, but if it is too large, you will not be able to handle it.

Knowing what the symbols on a fire extinguisher indicate will be helpful, and you must also know how to use the fire extinguisher. In the next section of the article, let’s look in detail at the symbols on a fire extinguisher.

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What Do the Symbols On a Fire Extinguisher Indicate?

Different symbols will be present in different types of fire extinguishers. If you are interested in knowing what they indicate, then continue reading the article.

Class Symbols on a Fire Extinguisher

There are five main classes in the fire extinguisher; Class A, B, C, D and K. You can identify the class by the symbol on the cylinder.

What is the Meaning of Class A on a Fire Extinguisher?

The class A fire extinguisher’s symbol is a green triangle. This symbol will indicate that you can use this type of fire extinguisher for any ordinary combustible materials, for example, plastic, paper, wood, cardboard, etc. So, if you are searching for a fire extinguisher to put out the fire from these types of ordinary combustible materials, then class A will be a better choice. In these cylinders, you will find a numerical rating depicting the amount of water the cylinder contains and the amount of fire you can put out by using this extinguisher.

What is the Meaning of Class B on a Fire Extinguisher?

The class B fire extinguisher’s symbol will be represented by using a red color square. If a fire generates from flammable liquids, for example, kerosine, gasoline, oil, and grease, then you can use the class B fire extinguishers to put out this fire. The numerical rating in the class B cylinder will provide you with an approximate measurement in square feet, representing the maximum area you can put out the fire by using this fire extinguisher.

What is the Meaning of Class C on a Fire Extinguisher?

The blue circle is the symbol that will represent the class C fire extinguisher which you can use when there is a fire outbreak from any electrical equipment. The appliances you use at home, electric circuits, outlets, and circuit breakers are possible examples where you may encounter such fire outbreaks. You will have to use the class C fire extinguisher in these situations. You will not find a numerical rating in this type of fire extinguisher.

What is the Meaning of Class D on a Fire Extinguisher?

Next is the class D fire extinguisher, which you can identify when you see the symbol of a yellow star or a yellow decagon. The class D fire extinguisher is to put out fire due to combustible metals. Some examples of combustible metals are potassium, sodium, titanium, and magnesium. You can use only this fire extinguisher for fire from combustible metals as these are not multi-purpose and do not have a numeral rating.

What is the Meaning of Class K on a Fire Extinguisher?

The fifth category of fire extinguishers is class K which you can figure out using the black hexagon symbol. These fire extinguishers are helpful to put out fires due to combustible products used in cooking, such as fats, cooking oil, etc., so this will be the best option to have in the home kitchen or restaurants.

Combination of Classes on a Fire Extinguisher

In some cases, you will find fire extinguishers consisting of more than one symbol among the above-mentioned symbols. This means that they are used for multi-purpose. Suppose you find a fire extinguisher which is ABC. You can use this as an extinguisher for putting out the fire due to ordinary combustible materials, flammable liquids, and also when there is an outbreak from electrical equipment. Hence, most households prefer using the combination fire extinguisher as you can use this for multiple purposes.

Apart from the shapes, you might also sometimes see images indicating these fire extinguishers classes. If you need more info from us, please let us know about your question in the comment section.