What Do Water Fire Extinguishers Do?

When it comes to protecting your home from fire damage, it is important to have the right type of fire extinguisher on hand. Water fire extinguishers are one type of extinguisher that you might consider purchasing. However, before you make a final decision it is important to know what water extinguishers do and what they are and are not good for.

Water extinguishers are class A extinguishers and are meant for putting out fires caused by ordinary, organic materials only. For example, they can be used on wood fires, most plastics and cardboard.

On these types of extinguishers there is a numerical rating system. The number on the rating signifies the amount of water that the extinguisher holds as well as how much fire it can put out.

To avoid electrical shock and the potential risk of death, water fire extinguishers should never be used on fires that are caused by faulty wiring or any type of electrical component. It is also important that water extinguishers are not used for fires that involve flammable liquids such as gasoline and oil or on chemicals.