Type of Fires

Not all fires and fire extinguishers are the same. Per NFPA 10, burning may be classified into one or more of the following fire classes and your fire protection specialist will select the right fire extinguisher size and agent for the hazard.

Class A

Class A fires are fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many plastics.

Class B

Class B fires are fires in flammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents and alcohols. Class B fires also include flammable gases such as propane and butane. Class B fires do not include fires involving cooking oils and grease.

Class C

Class C fires are fires involving energized electrical equipment such as computers, servers, motors, transformers, and appliances. Remove the power, and the Class C fire becomes one of the other classes of fire.

Class D

Class D fires are fires in combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.

Class K

Class K fires are fires in cooking oils and greases such as animal and vegetable fats. Some types of fire extinguishing agents can be used on more than one class of fire. Others have warnings where it would be dangerous for the operator to use a particular fire extinguishing agent.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Dry Chemical

Dry chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. Today's most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires. Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished succesfully.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire by taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle and also removing the heat with a very cold discharge. Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B & C fires. They are usually ineffective on Class A fires.

Water and Foam

Water and foam fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. Foam agents also separate the oxygen element from the other elements. Water extinguishers are for Class A fires only - they should not be used on Class B or C fires. The discharge stream could spread the flammable liquid in a Class B fire or could create a shock hazard on a Class C fire.

Wet Chemical

Wet Chemical is a new agent that extinguishes the fire by removing the heat of the fire triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier between the oxygen and fuel elements. Wet chemicals of Class K extinguishers was developed for modern, high-efficiency deep-fat fryers in commercial cooking operations. Some may also be used on Class A fires in commercial kitchens.

Clean Agent

Halogenated or clean agent extinguishers include the halon agents as well as the newer and less ozone-depleting halocarbon agents. They extinguish the fire by interrupting the chemical reaction and/or removing heat from the fire triangle. Clean agent extinguishers are effective on Class A, B, and C fires. Smaller-sized handheld extinguishers are not large enough to obtain a 1A rating and may carry only a Class B and C rating.

Dry Powder

Dry powder extinguishers are similar to dry chemical extinguishers except that they extinguish the fire by separating the fuel from the oxygen element or by removing the heat element of the fire triangle. However, dry powder extinguishers are for Class D or combustible metal fires only. They are ineffective on all other classes of fires.

As reputed fire extinguisher suppliers in the UAE, our units come in a variety of sizes, with different kinds of powerful anti-fire fillings, making them perfect for use commercially.

As one of the leading fire extinguisher maintenance companies, we also carry out routine checking of fire extinguishers, in which we make sure the agents, such as water, CO₂, dry powder, and foam, are available in the quantity needed for emergency uses.

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Includes

Fire extinguishers need regular service because they contain the pressurizing gas and the extinguisher agent in the same unit. This maintenance process is very important for safety and includes

Fire Extinguisher Inspection:

This process makes sure the units are working properly. It includes doing a visual inspection for gauge, date, and cylinder, and a physical inspection, which includes weight, hose, and seal.

Fire Extinguisher Testing:

In this process, the fire company will test the pressure, look for damage, and refill them on a regular basis. Hydrostatic testing should also be done every 5 years.

Portable fire extinguisher service:

Service for fire extinguishers must be done regularly, only by experts, to make sure they operate well when the need arises.

Fire Extinguisher Inspection

Like any mechanical device, fire extinguishers must be maintained on a regular basis to ensure their proper operation.

Fire extinguishers must be inspected or given a "quick check" every day. As per Dubai Civil Defense, it is mandatory to put a sticker from an approved firefighting contractor on each extinguisher. Our service team visits your premises and checks

Is the extinguisher in the correct location? Is it visible and accessible?

Does the gauge or pressure indicator show the correct pressure?

Dubai Civil Defense, Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, and other UAE authorities approve our products.

The FireStone Fire and Security Systems LLC team is ready to assist you across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman, and throughout the UAE.

Call us at +971 4388 1698 or email your inquiries to salesdxb@firestonefs.com.