Question:
Fire extinguisher question How do I determine which size and type of extinguisher to use in my house? Area 1 Risks: dry materials (class A) and electrical items (class C) Area 2 risks: ditto plus burning liquids (kitchen), so A, B, and C Water covers A only AFFF covers A and B CO2 covers B anc C Dry foam covers A,B,C It appears dry foam would thus be wanted in all areas. But most buildings use cheaper extinguishers than dry foam. What's going on? How does one determine what size is suitable, is it dependant on floor footage?

Answer: Q: How do I determine which size and type of extinguisher to use in my house?

A: IMHO unless you have proper training in fires and extinguishing there of your far better following the Fire Brigades advice to "Get out, stay out, Get us out". The oversized aerosol type of domestic extinguisher is next to useless IMHO. Dry powder, makes a mess put out the flame but doesn't take away the heat so re ignition is *very* likely. CO2 just blows everything everywhere burning or not but is good for electrical where it will get inside the box but again won't remove the heat so switching off is vital as well. Foam I've not "played" with but will be messy and may well be suitable for tiny fires in the early stages. If you have to go and get an extinguisher from very far, that tiny fire you left will be surprisingly big by the time you come back 10 or 20 seconds latter and be pushing out vast quantities of smoke and fumes (the *real* killers in domestic fires). For the kitchen a wet (but not dripping wet) tea towel is more likely to be at hand and very effective at smothering a pan fire