| There has been much controversy recently over | | | | are rated with the size of fire that they can |
| the revelation that many home fire | | | | handle. You should never use a fire |
| extinguishers actually contain the gas halon. | | | | extinguisher to put out a fire that is too |
| This is, on the surface, alarming. But in | | | | large for it to handle. Ratings proceed in a |
| fact, the amount of halon that is contained | | | | linear fashion according to their type. A |
| within fire extinguishers is not a risk to | | | | "1A" can put out a certain amount of regular |
| the health of humans in most cases. Those who | | | | fire, while a "2A" can put out twice as much |
| are young or old, or people who have problems | | | | of a regular fire. A "2B" will put out a |
| with their respiratory system, however, are | | | | certain amount of liquid fire, and a "C" will |
| advised to avoid the fumes from fire | | | | put out an electrical fire. C rated |
| extinguishers if at all possible.It is also | | | | extinguishers are not given a numerical |
| important to know that as the temperature in | | | | rating.Also on the label will be illustrated |
| an area rises, it becomes more dangerous. As | | | | and printed information about how to properly |
| the temperature of halon rises, it becomes | | | | use an extinguisher. You would be well |
| more toxic. Therefore, do not remain in an | | | | advised to get familiar with this |
| area where a fire extinguisher has been used | | | | information.Most fire extinguishers that are |
| if at all possible. Halon has been shown to | | | | sold today are single use extinguishers. |
| be corrosive to the ozone layer. Using it is | | | | These models tend to be filled with halon. |
| not particularly healthy for the | | | | Also, these models do not undergo the same |
| environment.When you are looking at a fire | | | | rigorous tests that reusable extinguishers |
| extinguisher, most of the information you | | | | must undergo to be used. And even those that |
| need will be printed on its label. All | | | | do not score very high. Almost none of the |
| extinguishers are rated according to | | | | disposable are all purpose |
| standards set by the industry. These | | | | extinguishers.Using the above information as |
| standards will tell you what sort of fire the | | | | a guide, you can purchase the type of |
| extinguisher is mean to put out, and, as | | | | extinguisher that you need for your own |
| such, should be consulted before using the | | | | personal or business use. Make sure that you |
| extinguisher. Using the wrong type can | | | | get one that will work to overcome the fires |
| actually exacerbate the intensity of a | | | | that could arise in your location. If not, |
| fire.Most labels will warn you of the types | | | | there isn't much purpose of getting a fire |
| of fires that can be worsened by the | | | | extinguisher.Gregg Hall is an author living |
| extinguisher. In addition to the type of fire | | | | in Navarre Beach, Florida. |
| that they are meant to combat, extinguishers | | | | |