Whether your business is large or small, the chances are fire safety is high on your list of priorities. No two fire extinguishers are the same, which means knowing the difference is the best way to keep those on your premises safe. With the right fire extinguisher services, you can identify a type that'll meet your needs in the event of an emergency.

Water fire extinguishers

Water models are effective at dampening down the fuel that keeps the fire going, which means they remove an essential element of the fire chain. This makes them effective when it comes to textiles, wood, paper and rubber. As they're usually free of chemical substances, they're unlikely to cause harm to children, which makes them useful for environments such as day care centres. However, as water conducts electricity, they're not so effective when tackling electrical fires.

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers

If your business is home to lots of expensive IT or electrical equipment, a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher may work in your favour. The carbon dioxide doesn't cause electrical systems to short, which means you protect your goods will eliminating the risk of the fire spreading. When using these extinguishers, always ensure you isolate causative electrical items from the power source. CO2 may also cause fires to reignite, which means your vigilance doesn't end with putting the fire out. 

Foam fire extinguishers

Not only do foam fire extinguishers smother the fire and starve it of oxygen, the foam itself is cool, which means there's less chance of it reigniting. As a result, they're excellent for both furniture and electrical fires, making them a useful addition to almost any workplace.

Dry powder fire extinguishers

Dry powder fire extinguishers are excellent for class A, B and C fires. Thanks to the lack of liquid, they won't cause damage to electrical goods, but this also means they don't cool the fire's fuel, so there's a risk of it reigniting. When using a dry powder fire extinguisher, make sure you take steps to cool the fuel source afterward with water.

Before choosing your extinguisher, discuss your options with a professional who knows which type will benefit your workplace. In addition to installing an extinguisher, you may wish to train your staff in how to use them, as well as reducing the risk of reignition once the immediate threat is no longer present. Finally, make sure you perform risk assessments periodically and form a solid