Fire Safety Equipment
Water or Chemical Extinguishers: Which Works for You?

When it comes to fire safety equipment, the first and most basic of them all would be the humble fire extinguisher. It serves as the first line of defense in controlling fires, and will often mean the difference between a quickly controlled blaze and an uncontrollably raging inferno.

Yet not all fire extinguishers are created equal.

Using the wrong fire extinguisher types on a fire they are not designed to handle may have poor firefighting effects. An even worse scenario could be the fire actually being fed by the extinguisher.

So remember these short tidbits of information before you select a water extinguisher for you to use:

Chemical Extinguishers

Chemical extinguishers are the most common type of extinguishers around. This is because they are designed to handle a multitude of firefighting problems, making them a versatile choice for handling fires. They usually come in standard red, and usually handle an array of fires depending on the chemical composition of the fire retardant substances.

While their versatility makes them useful as an industrial or car fire extinguisher, their cost is something that makes them somewhat difficult to stockpile. The limited amount of materials also means that these extinguishers cannot handle larger fires, and can only do so by firing off short bursts of chemicals.

Water Extinguishers

Water-based extinguishers, on the other hand, are usually larger and cheaper than their chemical counterparts. The water contained is an inexpensive and reliable firefighting component, which means that water extinguishers can handle larger fires with prolonged streams. Water extinguishers usually come in metallic canisters, as the distinct color differentiates it from chemical-based extinguishers.

The biggest drawback to water extinguishers, though, is that it cannot handle fires that stem from substances like oil and grease. Water can also prove to be a serious threat if used to put out fires coming from electrical sources.

Which should you use?

If you are deciding which type of extinguisher to place in your fire extinguisher cabinets, the first thing you need to keep in mind is the potential fire hazards in the area.

Woodland areas, paper-filled desks, bedrooms and other high-risk sources of fires stemming from flammable objects are ideal for water extinguishers. On the other hand, chemical extinguishers are best kept near electrical appliances, kitchens, garages and other potential sources of chemical or electrical fires.

Once you have identified potential fire hazards, the next step would be to store the extinguishers that will handle potential fires around the area. While you don’t need to store an extinguisher for each and every room in your home, it is best to store one in the access points of your home.

Why not just buy one for the whole home or office?

The problem lies in the fact that it takes only a few seconds for a fire to reach out and consume everything it touches. This is a fact that fire extinguisher training drills into the mind of people, and this is why you need extinguishers in accessible points around the area.

Remember to store the most appropriate extinguisher to match potential fire threats in visible and accessible areas. This way, you can assure fire safety while keeping expenses down to a minimum.