Fire Extinguishers Rating

Unlike some products, extinguishers have to be installed in public premises, and a standard form of assessment is required to determine how many extinguishers and what type are needed to protect a given risk. There are two main rating systems: CEN (European System) U.L. (American System)

CEN European System Class A Fire Extinguishers Crib of wooden sticks. All cribs are 0.56 meters high and 0.5 meters wide, but the length varies for specific ratings. For example the length is 0.3 m for 3A & 5.5 m for 55 A. A tray containing Heptanes is placed under the crib to light the fire.(The test fires are located indoors.) After 2 minutes the try is removed, Fire allowed to burn for 6 minutes. For the test to be successful it is essential that all flames should be extinguished and there should be no recurrence of flaming during the three minutes following the complete discharge of the extinguisher. 2 tests out of 3 succeeded – Ext. passed the test

Class A Fire Tests

Class A test fire – Side view showing 13A fire

Class A Test Fire

Length of Wooden Curbs RateLength of Wooden Curbs 3A0.3 meter 5A0.5 meter 8A0.8 meter 13A1.3 meter 21A2.1 meter 27A2.7 meter 34A3.4 meter 43A4.3 meter 55A5.5 meter

Class B – Flammable Liquids Tests are conducted in a range of welded sheet circular cylindrical trays. Each tray in the series is designated by a number representing the amount of fuel required in liters as in the table. The fuel is Heptanes. The fire is allowed for 1 minute pre-burn. The wind speed should not be greater than 3m/sec. And ambient temp. between 0 – 30 degree C. 2 tests out of 3 – Ext. succeeded.

Class B Tests

RatingVolume of Fuel in Liter 8B 13B 8 liters 13 liters 21B 34B 21 liters 34 Liters 55B 70B 55 liters 70 Liters 89B 113B 89 liters 113 Liters 144B 183B 233B 144 liters 183Liters 233 Liters

U.L. Rating System Class A Fire Test Wood – Crib Fire Test: Tests up to 10A in draft free room. For rating class exceeding 10A the test may be conducted outdoors. A test fire shall be considered to be extinguished – no self resignation. 2 tests out of 3 – ext. succeeded.

Class A Fire Test

Dimension of Wooden Curbs Rate# of Sticks Dimension In millimeter # of Layer s # of Sticks in each layer 1A5045X45X A9845X45X A15345X45X A20945X45X A15045X65X

Class B Fire Test Flammable liquid fire tests are to be conducted in a large volume draft-free room for a rating 20B. For more than 20B rating is conducted outdoor. Tests to be conducted in square shape trays.

Class B Fire Test

RatingVolume of Fuel 1B12 LITER 10B120 LITER 20B250 LITER 30B350 LITER 40B475 LITER 60B720 LITER 80B950 LITER

Outdoor Tests 120-B375 gallons 160-B500 gallons 240-B750 gallons 320-B1000 gallons 480-B1500 gallons 640-B2000 gallons

Selection and Distribution of Fire Extinguishers

C A B C D Ordinary Combustibles Combustible Metals Flammable Liquids Electrical Equipment Identification of Fire Extinguishers

Class A –Triangle containing the letter A –Green Class B –Square containing the letter B –Red

Identification of Fire Extinguishers Class C –Circle containing the letter C –Blue Class D –Five point star containing the letter D –Yellow

Selecting Extinguishers The size and type of portable fire extinguisher is based on the total amount of Class A combustible materials, the total amount of Class B flammables, or, for some occupancies, a combination of both. For many areas, the extinguishing agent also must be compatible with energized electrical equipment.

Classification of Hazards Light (Low) Hazard: Are locations in which the total amount of Class A combustible materials, including furnishings, decorations, and contents, is minor. These occupancies may include buildings or rooms occupied as offices, classrooms, assembly halls. Small amount of Class B flammables used in duplicating machines, art departments, and the like are included.

Ordinary (Moderate) Hazard Are locations in which the total amount of Class A and Class B are present in greater amounts than may be expected in light hazard occupancies. Dining areas, mercantile shops and their allied storage, light manufacturing facilities, auto show rooms, parking garages, and warehouses containing Class I or Class II commodities.

Extra (High) Hazards Are locations in which the total amount of Class A and Class B present in storage, in production, or as finished products is over that expected in ordinary hazard occupancies. Woodworking shops, vehicle repair areas, aircraft and boat servicing facilities, cooking areas, painting, dipping and coating areas, also included is warehousing or in-process storage of commodities other than Class I and II commodities.

Distributing Extinguishers Extinguishers should be placed in locations provide easy access and are readily free from temporary blockage. Near normal paths of travel, near exits and entrances. Mounted on walls, the operating instructions must face outwards, and can be removed easily.

Continue Ext. with gross weight of no more than 40 pounds (18 kgs) should be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 feet above the floor. Ext. more than 40 pounds (except wheeled types) should be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 3.5 feet from the floor. In no case should the clearance between the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor be less than 4 inches.

Minimum number and rating for Class A fires Light (low) hazard occupancy Ordinary (Mod.) Hazard Extra (High) Hazard Min. Rated Single Ext. 2-A 4-A Maximum floor area per unit of A 3000 sq. ft.1500 sq. ft.1000 sq. ft. Max. floor area for ext sq. ft. Max. travel dist. to Ext 75 ft.

Maximum Area Ext. Can Protect

Distribution of Class A Fire Extinguishers جدول رقم ( 1 ) دليل توزيع أجهزة الإطفاء للنوع A Max. Area to be Protected Per Ext. sq. ft.Max. Travel Distance Class A Rating Extra Hazard Ord. Hazard Light Hazard قدم1A قدم2 A قدم3 A قدم4 A قدم6 A قدم10 A قدم20 A قدم30 A قدم40 A

Maximum Area Ext. Can Protect

Example

Area = 450X150 = Ft² From the table: / = 6 fire ext. 6 x 4A light hazard 6 x 10A ordinary hazard 6 x 20A extra hazard The travel distance rule (75ft) has been violated.

Example

Area Ft² / 6000 = 12 fire extinguishers 12 x 2A light hazard 12 x 4A ordinary hazard 12 x 6A extra hazard In this case both distribution and travel distance rules are fulfilled.

Example

CEN System

Application of the Rated Extinguisher To determine the number of extinguishers required multiply the floor area of a building in square meters by a factor of The resulting number is the Class A cover requirement and should be divided by achieved Class A fire extinguishing rating of the extinguisher

Example A room has an area of 1000 square meters, so 1000 x = 65 If you assume that 9 litre water extinguishers with a fire rating of 13A will be used. By dividing 65 by 13 you will get the number of extinguishers required. 65/13 = 5 ext.

Distribution of Class B Fire Extinguishers - أقصى مسافة بين موقع الخطر وموقع الجهاز الحد الأدنى لمعدل أداء الجهازنوع المخاطر 30 قدم 50 قدم 5 B 10 B مخاطر خفيفة 30 قدم 50 قدم 10 B 20 B مخاطر عادية 30 قدم 50 قدم 40B 80B مخاطر جسيمة

CEN System

Application of the Rated Ext. The type of risk should be determined and the following rules should be followed: 1.Each room or enclosure should be considered separately. 2.Risks more than 20 m apart should be considered separately. 3.Where containers are stacked less than 2 m apart they should be considered undivided group. 4.A divided group comprises 2 or more containers more than 2 m but less than 20 m apart.

1.For single open topped containers see table 1, serial 1, the rating must be reached by each extinguisher provided. 2.For undivided groups see table 1, serial 2 3.For divided groups see table 1, serial 3 4.Spillage, see table 1, serial 4

Example 1 Take a single dip-tank with an area of 2 square meters. The recommended rating of extinguisher is given by: Column2: 50x2.0 = 100 i.e. 113B (foam only) Column3: 80x2.0 = 160 i.e. 183 (any other type) The minimum aggregate rating is recommended as: Column4: 150 x 2.0 = 300B (The minimum aggregate rating of 300B is not met by a single ext., therefore: 300 / 183 = 2 183B

Example 2 Take a bund measuring 2.47 square meters (1.3 x 1.9 m). What is the minimum rating extinguisher recommended?

Distribution for CLASS C Installed where there is live electrical equipment. Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical, and Halons Power has cut off the fire becomes Class A or Class B.

Distribution for Class D The amount of agent needed normally is figured according to the surface area of the metal plus the shape and form of the metal which can contribute to the severity of the fire. Travel distance 75 ft.

Classification and Ratings DescriptionRating 2.5 gallon water2A 20 lb Carbon Dioxide10B:C 5 lb dry chemical (ammonium ph.)2A:10B:C 10 lb dry chemical (Sod. Bicarb.)60B:C 10 lb dry chemical (pot. Bicarb.)80B:C 125 lb dry chemical (amm. Phosph)40A:240B:C 33 gal. AFFF20A:160B 5 LB HALON B:C 9 LB HALON 12111A:10B:C 1.5 LB HALON 1211/13011B:C