What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Kaminsky, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Every home needs a 5-pound ABC multipurpose extinguisher mounted in the kitchen, costing $30 to $60. It handles Class A combustible fires, Class B flammable liquids, and Class C electrical fires — the three hazard types present in every residence. For households
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Kaminsky, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) A 5-pound ABC extinguisher ($30 to $80) is the practical choice for vehicle fire suppression. It covers Class A, B, and C hazards — the electrical system failures, fuel leaks, and engine compartment fires that account for most vehicle fires. Suppression is
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Kaminsky, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Wet chemical (Class K) extinguishers are specifically engineered for cooking oil fires. The agent — potassium acetate or potassium citrate — triggers a saponification reaction that simultaneously cools super-heated oil below ignition temperature, converts burning oil to a soap-like foam, and creates a
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Kaminsky, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Water extinguishers are the most effective portable agent for Class A fires — wood, paper, cloth, and plastics — and the least expensive option available. They suppress fire by cooling burning material below its ignition temperature, outperforming dry chemical on hot, established Class
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Kaminsky, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) CO2 extinguishers suppress Class B and C fires by displacing oxygen and rapidly cooling the fire, leaving zero residue on equipment or surfaces. They cost roughly double dry chemical units and produce an extremely cold discharge that creates a frostbite hazard.
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Kaminsky, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Multipurpose ABC dry chemical extinguishers are the most common portable fire suppression equipment in commercial buildings. They suppress Class A, B, and C fires using ammonium polyphosphate or potassium bicarbonate powder that interrupts the combustion chain reaction. A 10-pound unit with
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Kaminsky, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Clean agent extinguishers use Halotron 1 or FE-36 to suppress Class A, B, and C fires with zero residue. They cost two to three times more than dry chemical units, but they eliminate the powder contamination that damages sensitive electronics, server
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Mitchell, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Fire extinguisher ratings (e.g., "3A:40B:C") indicate exactly what fires the unit can suppress and at what size. The A number measures effectiveness on ordinary combustibles per UL wood crib testing — higher number means larger fire capacity.
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Mitchell, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Class K extinguishers suppress cooking oil and grease fires using wet chemical agents (potassium acetate or potassium citrate) that work through saponification — converting burning oil into a non-flammable soap-like foam while cooling it below the 600°F+ ignition point. NFPA 96
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Mitchell, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) NFPA 10 defines five fire extinguisher classes, each matched to a specific fire type: Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids/gases), Class C (energized electrical equipment), Class D (combustible metals), and Class K (cooking oils/fats). Using the wrong
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Mitchell, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Class D fires involve combustible metals — magnesium, titanium, sodium, potassium, zirconium, and aluminum powder — that burn at extremely high temperatures. Standard extinguishing agents (water, ABC dry chemical, CO2) make these fires explosively worse. Class D extinguishers use specialized dry powders (sodium
What Do I Need?
Reviewed by Jason Mitchell, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Class AB extinguishers handle ordinary combustibles (Class A) and flammable liquids (Class B) but lack the non-conductive "C" rating for electrical fires. In most modern commercial buildings, electrical equipment is ubiquitous, making ABC the safer and more common choice.