all fire extinguishers are labeled with a letter and a number. what does the number indicate?
all fire extinguishers are labeled with a letter and a number. what does the number indicate?
Answer: The number on a fire extinguisher label indicates the "fire rating" or the “numerical rating” of the extinguisher. It represents the extinguishing effectiveness of the fire extinguisher on certain classes of fires. The number specifically indicates the extinguisher’s ability to extinguish a fire of a particular size under ideal conditions.
The numerical ratings typically range from 1 to 40. The higher the number, the greater the extinguishing power of the fire extinguisher. However, it’s important to note that the specific meaning of the numerical rating can vary depending on the class of fire the extinguisher is designed to handle.
Here is a breakdown of the numerical ratings and their corresponding fire types:
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Class A fires (ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth): The number represents the approximate amount of water the extinguisher is equivalent to in gallons. For example, a 2A-rated fire extinguisher is equivalent to approximately 2.5 gallons of water.
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Class B fires (flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, or solvents): The number indicates the approximate area the extinguisher can cover in square feet. For example, a 10B-rated fire extinguisher can cover an area of approximately 10 square feet.
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Class C fires (electrical fires): The numerical rating does not apply to Class C fires, as it indicates the extinguisher’s effectiveness on combustible materials and not on electrical equipment or energized electrical fires.
It’s important to choose the appropriate fire extinguisher with the correct numerical rating based on the types of potential fire hazards present in your specific environment. Additionally, understanding the different classes of fires and their corresponding ratings will help you make informed decisions on fire safety and prevention.