What is the Area Hazard Classification?

Class and the size of the fire is likely to occur in a certain area of ​​the key factors in determining the appropriate type and size of extinguisher to use. Together, category and size of the potential fire hazards determine which facilities your extinguisher must be designed.

Risk rating: (Per Protection Association of National Standard for portable fire extinguishers):

Light (low) hazard

Occupancy classified as light (low) risk as locations where the quantity and combustion of Class A combustible materials and flammable materials class B low and expected fire with relatively low rates of fire.

Normal (medium) Hazard

Classified as normal (moderate) occupancy danger as locations where the quantity and combustion of Class A combustible materials and flammable materials class B is expected to moderate fire with moderate rates of fire.

Extra (high) hazard

Additional classified (high) occupancy danger as locations where the quantity and combustion of Class A materials are high or where large amounts of flammable materials class B exist for ignition, is expected to fires fast growth with high rates of fire

It is important to correctly determine the danger level for all regions. There may be a need to install multiple extinguishers or extinguishers multiple ratings. Restaurants, for example, multiple extinguishers required due to multiple hazards. The low-risk areas in the food requires a Class A extinguisher, and high-risk will require extinguisher in the kitchen K. category

Special considerations must be conducted with fires category B. There are four typical types of liquid fire flammable:

fire involving between at least 1/4 "deep.

Fires leak in the liquid which burn less than 1/4 "deep.

Fires that burn liquid or gas under pressure.

Three-dimensional fires, which involves burning liquids that are in motion.

Liquid fires deep accumulation of more heat from fires and leakage best extinguished with the factors that stifle the fire, such as foam. Leak fires can be controlled with carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguishers. Gas under pressure can not be controlled with dry chemicals. You must be equipped with extinguishers used to combat pressure class B fires with special nozzle, which allows for quick release of more dry chemical. These fire extinguishers are known as fast flow.