A: Fire extinguishers are required to be inspected on an annual basis.
A: Only individuals who hold a license or certification are able to conduct a fire extinguisher inspection.
A: A quick check is a monthly check on a fire extinguisher that is required to be conducted. Anyone can conduct a monthly quick check given they are trained by a licensed technician. Our technician will be happy to give a short training to our customers in order to conduct a monthly quick check.
A: There are several service intervals for a fire extinguisher. A monthly quick check- which is conducted monthly, an annual inspection- which is conducted annually (this is when a new certification is placed on a fire extinguisher), a 6 year maintenance- which is a complete teardown and rebuild of a fire extinguisher, and a hydrostatic pressure test- depending on the type of fire extinguisher, this pressure test is conducted on the 5th or 12th year of the fire extinguishers service life.
A: Before we get to the different types of fire extinguishers, it’s important to understand the different types of fires that these extinguishers are designed to fight.
Water & Foam The water component of this extinguisher removes the heat of the fire, while the foam component removes the oxygen.
Works For: Class A fires only
Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide replaces the fire’s oxygen and, as the gas is contained under pressure it creates a cold discharge upon release, which removes the heat of the fire too.
Works For: Class B and C fires
Dry Chemical
This extinguisher removes the chemical reaction of a fire, and is the most used of all fire extinguishers because of its versatility across multiple classes.
Works For: Class A, B and C fires (multi-purpose); Class B and C (ordinary)
Wet Chemical
This extinguisher removes heat and creates a barrier between oxygen and fuel so a fire cannot be re-ignited. The chemical is sprayed as a mist, cooling the fire’s heat and creating a blanket effect over the fuel.
Works For: Class K fires (particularly good for fires started by oils or fats)
Clean Agent
Also called Halogenated extinguishers, these include halon agents and new, less ozone depleting halocarbon agents, which extinguish a fire by interrupting its chemical reaction.
Works For: Class B and C fires
Dry Powder This works similarly to the dry chemical extinguisher as the powder separates the fuel from oxygen or removes the heat, but this extinguisher is only used to fight combustible metal fires.
Works For: Class D fires
Water Mist
This extinguisher takes away the heat of the fire only.
Works For: Class A and C fires
Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical
This extinguisher interrupts the chemical reaction of the fire, and creates a barrier between the oxygen and the fuel and, like the dry chemical extinguishers, works well on a variety of fire types.
Works For: Class A, B and C fires
- Class A– a fire started with normal combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth
- Class B– a fire started with flammable and combustible liquids and gases such as gasoline and paints
- Class C– a fire started by energized electrical equipment such as a short circuit in power transmission cables
- Class D– a fire started by flammable metals such as sodium, potassium and lithium
Water & Foam The water component of this extinguisher removes the heat of the fire, while the foam component removes the oxygen.
Works For: Class A fires only
Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide replaces the fire’s oxygen and, as the gas is contained under pressure it creates a cold discharge upon release, which removes the heat of the fire too.
Works For: Class B and C fires
Dry Chemical
This extinguisher removes the chemical reaction of a fire, and is the most used of all fire extinguishers because of its versatility across multiple classes.
Works For: Class A, B and C fires (multi-purpose); Class B and C (ordinary)
Wet Chemical
This extinguisher removes heat and creates a barrier between oxygen and fuel so a fire cannot be re-ignited. The chemical is sprayed as a mist, cooling the fire’s heat and creating a blanket effect over the fuel.
Works For: Class K fires (particularly good for fires started by oils or fats)
Clean Agent
Also called Halogenated extinguishers, these include halon agents and new, less ozone depleting halocarbon agents, which extinguish a fire by interrupting its chemical reaction.
Works For: Class B and C fires
Dry Powder This works similarly to the dry chemical extinguisher as the powder separates the fuel from oxygen or removes the heat, but this extinguisher is only used to fight combustible metal fires.
Works For: Class D fires
Water Mist
This extinguisher takes away the heat of the fire only.
Works For: Class A and C fires
Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical
This extinguisher interrupts the chemical reaction of the fire, and creates a barrier between the oxygen and the fuel and, like the dry chemical extinguishers, works well on a variety of fire types.
Works For: Class A, B and C fires
A: The easy way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher is through the acronym PASS.
Pull the pull pin.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep back and forth to extinguish the flames.
ACE Fire Protection is an FDNY licensed fire protection company that’s dedicated to keeping customers safe and providing high-quality service. We are proud to serve customers in New York CIty.
