Page 46 - Automobile Mechanical and Electrical Systems Automotive Technology Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Vehicle Maintenance Repr Nv2) by Tom Denton

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Table 1.9 Classifi cation of fi res

European/ American Fuel/heat source
Australian/Asian
Class A Class A Ordinary combustibles

Class B Class B Flammable liquids
Class C Flammable gases
Class D Class D Combustible metals
Class E Class C Electrical equipment

Class F Class K Cooking oil or fat

Table 1.10 Australia: fi re extinguishers

a
Type Pre-1997 Current Suitable for use on fi re class
Water Solid red Solid red A
Foam Solid blue Red with a A B
blue band
Dry chemical Red with a Red with a A B C E
(powder) white band white band
Carbon dioxide Red with a Red with a (A) B D F
black band black band
Vaporizing liquid (non- Not yet in use Red with a A B C E
Halon clean agents) yellow band
Halon Solid yellow No longer A B E
produced

Wet chemical Solid oatmeal Red with an A F
oatmeal band
a Parentheses denote sometimes applicable.

group of fuel. Tables 1.10–1.12 show the differences: study the one that relates
to your situation. Safety fi rst
In Australia ( Table 1.10 ), yellow (Halon) fi re extinguishers are illegal to own or use Study the table on fi re extinguishers
that relates to your situation.
on a fi re, unless an essential use exemption has been granted.
There is no offi cial standard in the USA for the colour of fi re extinguishers,
though they are typically red, except for class D extinguishers, which are
usually yellow, and water extinguishers, which are usually silver, or, if water
mist types, white ( Table 1.11 ). Extinguishers are marked with pictograms
depicting the types of fi res that the extinguisher is approved to fi ght. In the
past, extinguishers were marked with coloured geometric symbols. Some
extinguishers still use both symbols.
Fire extinguishers in the UK, and throughout Europe, are red ( Fig. 1.44 ), with a
band or circle of a second colour covering between 5 and 10% of the surface
area of the extinguisher to indicate its contents ( Table 1.12 ). Prior to 1997, the
entire body of the fi re extinguisher was colour coded.
In the UK the use of Halon gas is now prohibited except under certain situations
such as on aircraft and by the military and police.