As a business owner, you know the importance of protecting your investments. This includes physical assets like your business office facilities.
One of the best ways to protect your office building is to keep a supply of fire extinguishers on site.
Over the years, facility safety companies have designed different types of fire extinguishers. They are best suited to a variety of different environments. It’s important to choose the right type of fire fighting equipment for your line of business.
You may be asking, what type of fire extinguisher do I need? Here’s a look at the types of fire extinguishers you can buy to help keep your buildings safe.
Foam Extinguishers
Foam fire extinguishers work best on ignited organic materials and some types of electrical fires. They create a block between the fuel and the fire, which helps to choke the fire out. It’s best not to use foam extinguishers on oil-based fires or electrical fires.
Water Extinguishers
This type of fire extinguisher is best suited for handling fabrics, paper, wood, and other types of fibers. It is not the best type for oil-based fires or electrical fires. Water extinguishers suffocate the fire by cooling it and slowing down the rate of oxygen that fuels the flames.
Powder Extinguishers
Powder extinguishers do a great job of putting out electrical fires. They also work on organic material and gas fires by smothering the flame and shutting out oxygen.
Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers
These are perfect fire extinguishers for electrical fires and often get stored in computer rooms. They extinguish burning wires and electrical components by suffocating them.
Liquid Chemical Extinguishers
Liquid chemical fire extinguishers put out grease fires. They are perfect for kitchens with deep fryers and an abundance of cooking oils. They can also work on fires fueled by organic materials.
How to Position and Use Your Fire Extinguishers
To position your fire extinguishers around your building, you’ll need to check your local fire codes. And follow your industry’s best practices for manufacturing and other industrial environments.
Having fire extinguishers in your business means training all employees on the basics of how to use them. Some companies do fire safety video training or yearly demonstrations. Since many employees may be unfamiliar with how to use a fire extinguisher, trying one out in training- before the actual need arises- can be useful.
Get Confidence From Picking the Right Types of Fire Extinguishers
Choosing the best fire safety tools for your business is important. Choosing the right types of fire extinguishers will enable your company to respond if a fire breaks out. And you’ll have confidence knowing that you’ve bought the right tools to protect all areas of your business.
To find out what we recommend, get in touch with us. We specialize in providing fire-fighting equipment for businesses in many industries. We can answer any questions you may have. For tailored advice and a free quote, contact us today!
