Difference Between Class K Fire Extinguishers Vs. Abc Fire Extinguishers
Difference Between Class K Fire Extinguishers Vs. Abc Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are many types like A, ABC, BC, or K. It is important to determine the difference between a class K fire extinguisher and an ABC fire extinguisher to use the right type of extinguisher on the specific class of fire to avoid personal harm or damage to property. It is because the wrong extinguisher could generate electrical shock, explosion, or spread the fire. A grease fire has started on your commercial cooking line.
You look at a silver fire extinguisher and the other is a common red fire extinguisher to find two sitting on the wall. You notice that the silver one is denoted as a class K fire extinguisher and the red one is denoted as an ABC fire extinguisher. Which fire extinguisher should you use for fire protection within homes and businesses?
Every home and business should have a Class ABC fire extinguisher on each level at least one.
However, it is most important to know that Class ABC fire extinguishers are not perfect for commercial kitchens and you require Class K fire extinguishers for commercial kitchens.
What is a Class K Fire Extinguisher?
A Class K fire extinguisher (Silver class) is designed to handle Class K fires. Class K fires are fires on kitchen grease like cooking fats and oil. They use a foam-forming agent and extinguish ongoing kitchen fires from reigniting. These extinguish fighting against class k fires are known as class k fire extinguishers.
What is an ABC Fire Extinguisher?
An ABC fire extinguisher is a multipurpose fire extinguisher because it can extinguish different types of fires with a multipurpose dry chemical that extinguishes the burning materials by disconnecting the fuel from oxygen in the air.
- Class A extinguishers are used to extinguish fire for wood and paper fires,
- Class B for liquids like gasoline,
- Class C for electrical fires.
Locations
ABC fire extinguishers are located at the Medical Centers in corridor areas, like the Operating Rooms and Kitchen has specific extinguishers.
Difference Between Class K Fire Extinguishers Vs. Abc Fire Extinguishers
K Fire Extinguishers | Abc Fire Extinguishers | |
Purpose: | Class K extinguishers are designed for fires concerning cooking oils and fats, like those found in commercial kitchens and restaurants. | Class ABC extinguishers are universal and planned to control fires with ordinary combustibles (Class A), flammable liquids and gases (Class B), and electrical equipment (Class C). |
Agent: | The primary agent utilized is a potassium acetate-based solution in Class K extinguishers, which responds with cooking oil and grease to create a soapy importance and stop the fire. | A dry chemical powder like monoammonium phosphate works as the primary agent in Class ABC extinguishers, stopping the fire’s chemical reaction. |
Marking: | Class K extinguishers are observed with a purple panel, making them readily distinguishable. | Class ABC extinguishers are identified by a white panel that often includes a sign indicating which classes of fires they are perfect for—Class A, B, and C. |
Chemical | Class K fire extinguishers are wet chemicals. | Class ABC fire extinguishers are dry chemicals. |
How to use Fire extinguishers?
Follow the acronym PASS to use a fire extinguisher:
- Pull – Pull the pin on the extinguisher
- Aim – Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
- Squeeze – Squeeze the trigger to release the product
- Sweep – Sweep the nozzle from side to side
Conclusion
The effective use of Class K and Class ABC fire extinguishers depends on the specific dangers of fire they were designed to combat. They are designed to put out different types of fires. The following highlights the differences between fire extinguishers classified as Class K and Class ABC: