A Quick Guide to Fire Extinguisher Sizes and Weights

A fire extinguisher is necessary to comply with code standards, but it also can provide peace of mind that you can respond quickly when a fire breaks out. When you are shopping for fire extinguishers, the options can be overwhelming. Below, we’ll discuss the different fire extinguisher weights and sizes and how they can affect your purchasing decision.

Understanding Fire Extinguisher Labels

When looking at fire extinguishers, you might notice numbers such as 4A:20B:C. Understanding what each of these numbers and letters signifies will ensure you can get the appropriate fire extinguisher for your specific application.
The number attached to the letter A represents the water equivalency of the fire extinguisher. Every number represents one and one-quarter gallons of water. For example, a 2A fire extinguisher rating indicates it contains two and a half gallons of water. A 4A fire extinguisher contains five gallons of water. The higher the number associated with the A rating, the more water is included in the fire extinguisher.

The second series of numbers, in this case 20B, describes the total square footage the fire extinguisher can handle. For this example, the fire extinguisher can address 20 square feet, assuming the user swipes the fire extinguisher nozzle from side to side.

The third letter of C for this rating doesn’t affect the sizing of your fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers with a C and D rating simply have energized components that help fight certain types of fires, including ordinary combustibles, cooking fires, electrical fires or chemical fires.

Understanding Fire Extinguisher Sizing

The particular size of a fire extinguisher designates how much extinguishing agent it holds. Fire extinguisher sizes are given in the form of pounds. Sizes can range from as little as 2.5 pounds up to 350 pounds. Some of the most common fire extinguisher sizes include 2-A:10B:C 4 lb., 3-A:40B:C 5 lb., 4-A:60B:C 10 lb., and 10-A:80B:C 20 lb.

Factors to Consider When Selecting the Right Size

When choosing a fire extinguisher for your home or commercial building, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Rather, consider various factors specific to your situation to ensure you’re choosing the ideal extinguisher for your needs. Below, we’ll dive into these factors so that you can make a better-informed decision when selecting your next fire extinguisher.

Room Size

The size of the room where you will use the fire extinguisher is one of the most obvious considerations. Your fire extinguisher must have enough extinguishing agents inside it to handle what could be considered a common-size fire for that location. Smaller extinguishers can be effective in smaller rooms, but larger rooms or open living spaces will need larger extinguishers or may benefit from multiple extinguishers stored in several locations.

Room Components

Another factor to consider is the type of combustible materials in that room. For example, a home office filled with filing cabinets, paper components, and various electronics may be more flammable than a living room with a few furnishings and a television. A kitchen has other challenges, including electrical appliances and grease. Understanding the materials in the room can help you to make a better-informed decision regarding the not just the amount of extinguishing agents your fire extinguisher will need but also the type of extinguishing agents.

Portability

Another consideration is the portability of the fire extinguisher. A large fire extinguisher can ensure sufficient extinguishing agents to handle any fire that may break out at your home or building. However, the fire extinguisher is only as effective as the person using it.

If you have a 150-pound fire extinguisher, most people will struggle to maneuver it easily. Some may not even be able to pick it up. It’s important to match the fire extinguisher size with the portability you need at your location.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) have set recommendations and standards to guide you and determine the right fire extinguisher size for your location.

Reliable Fire Extinguisher Service

Unifour provides reliable fire extinguisher services for the Hickory, NC area. We can also help with your fire extinguisher replacement, inspection, recharging, and repair needs. Simply call us today to get the top-tier service that you deserve.