What Every Homeowner Should Know About Fire Extinguishers

When it comes to fire safety, almost every home in the country now has at least one smoke detector — but about a quarter of us still haven’t installed fire extinguishers. That’s unfortunate, because they help prevent thousands of house fires every year.

“People often don’t want to invest a few dollars into a safety product. But a small investment can go a long way if you need it,” says home safety expert Philip Farina.

And it’s not enough just to buy a couple of fire extinguishers. In order for them to be effective, you also need to choose the proper type, place them in optimal locations and keep them maintained. It’s also vital to know when you should use a fire extinguisher and when to run. To help you understand all of these factors, here’s our guide to home fire extinguishers.

What Is a Home Fire Extinguisher?

A home fire extinguisher is a portable, pressurized container that dispenses either a dry powder or a wet chemical substance. Extinguishers are meant to put out small, contained fires in their early stages. While they’re not legally required in single-family homes, insurance companies often give discounts for installing them.

Types of Fire Extinguishers for Home Use

There are five classifications of fire extinguishers.

• Class A, for combustible materials like wood and paper.
• B, for flammable liquids, like gasoline and oil.
• C, for electrical fires.
• D, for combustible metals.
• K, for cooking oils.

For home use, safety experts generally recommend a combination ABC extinguisher, since those are designed to handle the most common home ignition sources. Additionally, fire extinguisher sizes range from 2.5 pounds to 10 pounds.

Where to Place Fire Extinguishers in Your Home

The most important places to keep fire extinguishers are the kitchen and garage/workshop. It’s also a good idea to have one on every floor, including in the master bedroom and laundry room. Make sure you have an extinguisher near your grill, as well.

Fire and safety expert Lo Choe recommends five-pound ABC units in general living areas, plus a separate class K extinguisher in the kitchen for grease fires. Consider upgrading to a 10-pound ABC model for the garage/workshop.

Mount fire extinguishers in visible, accessible locations, between three-and-a-half to five feet from the ground, near room exits. For the kitchen, keep them 10 to 15 feet away from the stove top. Never store them near a heat source, or a place that tends to get hot, such as the stove or in the trunk of a car.

“That’s where things get genuinely dangerous,” says home fire safety inspector Kameron Khan. “They can build internal pressure to the point of explosion.”

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

• Pull the pin on the top of the handle.
• Aim the nozzle low, toward the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handle gently, which will begin discharging the chemicals.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side, continuing to aim at the base of the fire.

This method is known as PASS (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep). “PASS has been around for over 50 years and is by far the easiest way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher correctly,” says Choe. “Remember to stand about six to eight feet away from the fire when you begin, and slowly back away while watching for flare-ups once you think it’s out.”

What do I do after using a fire extinguisher?

If there’s any question as to whether the fire is completely out, call the fire department to let them know you’ve used your extinguisher and want them to inspect for fire damage. Then:

• Open all windows. Dry chemicals from fire extinguishers can damage your lungs.
• Take pictures of the affected area.
• Replace the extinguisher promptly, or bring it to a service company for a recharge.
• Clean dry chemicals from electronics within 24 hours to prevent damage.
• Notify your insurance company within 72 hours.

When NOT to Fight a Fire Yourself

Only attempt to fight a fire if it is small, no taller than your chest, and you have a safe exit. If the fire is creating heavy smoke or if smoke is rising above half of the room, evacuate immediately. Shut the door and call 911 once outside.

“Fire needs oxygen to sustain itself, and if you are caught trying to fight a fire with limited visibility, you will have less than a minute before you are disoriented and pass out,” says Choe.

How to Choose the Right Extinguisher

• Choose models displaying UL certification on the label.
• Buy ones with a metal valve, not plastic.
• Verify that the pressure gauge needle is in the green zone.
• Look for ABC-class extinguishers, which are generally optimal for most home situations.
• Consider a class K for the kitchen.

“Stay away from disposable extinguishers with plastic heads, as they have shorter service lives than metal-head rechargeable units,” says Choe.

How to Train Yourself

Local fire departments sometimes offer fire extinguisher training events. Also, some companies offer fire safety classes. Even if you skip attending one of these, teach everyone in your home the PASS method, and regularly practice unmounting your extinguisher and locating the pin.

“Pulling the pin and aiming the nozzle takes most people several seconds,” says Choe. “That’s all it takes for an average stovetop fire to travel up the cabinets.”

When to Replace

Disposable home fire extinguishers are good for eight to 12 years from the manufacturing date printed on the bottom of the unit, and they should absolutely be replaced on time, says Choe. Rechargeable models can last 12 to 15 years, but should be serviced regularly by a professional, according to manufacturer recommendations.

Also, examine your extinguishers once a month or so. Check the gauge to make sure the needle is still in the green, the pin is still in place and the seal is intact. If the canister is dented or has corrosion past the thickness of your nail, it should be replaced and taken to a household hazardous waste disposal site.

FAQ

How many fire extinguishers does a home need?

It depends on the size of the home, but the general rule is at least two, and more is safer. Ideally, place one on each floor, including in the kitchen, laundry room, master bedroom and garage. Also, keep one near areas with fire risks, such as fireplaces and outdoor grills.

“I’d go one per 1,000 square feet on larger houses, and keep travel distance to any extinguisher 40 feet or less,” says Choe.

Do fire extinguishers expire?

Yes. Depending on the model, they expire between eight and 15 years. That’s because the pressurized gas leaks out from the valve seals over time. Also, the rubber O-rings will dry out and the chemical agent inside will harden on the bottom.

“This is why you should have annual professional servicing, and not just a visual inspection,” says equipment leasing expert Cal Singh. “A technician empties the unit, inspects the condition of the agent and recharges it appropriately.”

Can a fire extinguisher explode?

Yes, but it’s rare because modern extinguishers have safety valves to vent pressure. Still, never store them in places above 120°F, keeping in mind that interior car temperatures can reach upward of 160°F in the summer. Corrosion also increases the chance of an explosion.

“Dropping your fire extinguisher from four or more feet onto a hard surface can also breach the valve stem,” says Choe. “These cases are rare, but don’t let that lead you to thinking they can’t happen.”

Where should you not store a fire extinguisher?

Avoid direct sunlight, hot attics, car trunks, non-insulated garages or any other areas that can reach over 120°F or under -40°F. Also, avoid damp basements and other rust-prone environments, or places that aren’t visible or easily accessible. “Locked up, behind furniture or stored higher than six feet are contrary to the point of owning one,” says Choe. “Also, where you mount your fire extinguisher matters. If it can roll away when grabbed, it will.”

About the Experts

• Lo Choe is a licensed fire and electrical safety contractor, and owner of Aura Fire Safety in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has nearly three decades of experience with fire safety and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
• Philip Farina is founder and chief security and safety advisor for Risky Business consultants, and is well-known for his expertise on home security, safety and disaster preparedness.
• Kameron Khan is founder and managing director of SilverWater Plumbing, which also performs fire safety inspections at residential properties.
• Cal Singh is head of marketing and partnerships at Equipment Leasing Canada, where he works with businesses that lease and finance heavy equipment in the construction, manufacturing and agriculture industries.

The post What Every Homeowner Should Know About Fire Extinguishers appeared first on Family Handyman.

For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.