Guide · 4 minute read
Choosing the right extinguisher
The wrong extinguisher can make a fire worse. Here is what the letters on the label mean and which extinguisher belongs in which room of a Kano home or business.
By the Shieldpro inspection team. Example article for this demo.
Every extinguisher label lists the fire classes it can fight. The letters are simple once you know them, and they decide where each one should hang.
The classes
A is paper, wood and cloth. B is petrol, diesel and oils. C is gas, such as a cooking gas cylinder. E is electrical equipment. F is hot cooking oil in a fryer or a big pot.
Dry powder for most rooms
A dry powder extinguisher covers A, B, C and electrical fires. It is the right choice for corridors, stores, shops and most rooms in a home, placed by the exit.
CO2 for electrics
CO2 leaves no mess, so it suits server rooms, electrical panels and offices full of computers. It is not good on paper or wood fires.
Kitchens need two things
A fire blanket by the cooker for pan fires, and a wet chemical extinguisher if you deep fry. Never use water on hot oil.
If you are unsure, our shop has a fire type picker that shows the right extinguisher for each kind of fire, or ask an inspector on WhatsApp.
In short
The rules.
A
Paper, wood, cloth.
B
Petrol, diesel, oils.
C
Cooking gas.
E
Electrics: powder or CO2, never water.
F
Hot oil: blanket or wet chemical.
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Generator safety at home
Check your own building
Our free checklist covers all of this.