Protect Your Belongings With The Best Fire Extinguisher
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Kidde FA110 Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher -
Kidde Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher -
First Alert Rechargable Fire Extinguisher -
First Alert Fire Extinguisher -
Kidde 466204 Pro 10 MP Fire Extinguisher -
Buyer's Guide
Most fire extinguishers simply sit around gathering dust for years on end, resulting in people forgetting to check them and sometimes even dismissing the importance of having them in the home. However, in the moments when you do actually need one, it will be essential to have on hand. Fire extinguishers suitable for home and office use are rarely anywhere close to being as durable as those used by professionals, but nonetheless it’s important to stay away from cheap models.
We've chosen to focus on fire extinguishers best for multipurpose home use, with a minimum of Class A, B, and C certifications. Class A fire extinguishers are rated for ordinary combustibles such as trash, wood, paper, and clothes, B are for liquids and gases (including paints), while C is for electrical fires. They also all have a pressure gauge for quick status checks ensuring the fire extinguisher is always ready for use.
ABC fire extinguishers are the most common for residential use with other types available for more heavy duty or specific needs. Although the smaller and cheaper models are useful to have around, it's always a good idea to also have a large fire extinguisher as well. Please note, none of our picks are for fighting large fires, and you should never attempt to fight a large fire by yourself. However, for putting out small fires that have just started, all of the following fire extinguishers will perform reliably. Check out our top picks for best fire extinguishers in 2022.
What are the best fire extinguisher of 2022?
Kidde FA110 Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher - Best Fire Extinguisher Overall
The Kidde Pro 210 UL-approved fire extinguisher is suitable for home or office use. This rechargeable ABC fire extinguisher is a relatively affordable option for its size without sacrificing on build quality and durability. The Pro 210 comes with a metal head and a powder-coated aluminum cylinder to protect against corrosion. The included pressure gauge allows for quick status checks, ensuring the extinguisher is always ready for use.
This fire extinguisher is a medium size, with four pounds of fire extinguishing agent and a total weight of about seven pounds. This makes this model large enough for most small fires while being light enough for most people to use comfortably. The Pro 210 has a discharge time of up to 15 seconds and a range of up to 15 feet. It comes with a wall hanger included and the standard six year manufactuer's warranty offered by Kidde.
Kidde Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher - Runner Up
The popular Kidde Pro 110 ABC fire extinguisher is an excellent choice for a supplemental fire extinguisher added to your home, car, or office. Although this compact and lightweight model isn’t suitable to be your home's primary protection against fire, it’s good to keep on hand in areas where fire risk is low and space is at a premium.
The rechargeable Pro 110 weighs only about four pounds in total with roughly 2.5 pounds of fire extinguishing agent, 12 seconds of discharge time, and a range of about 15 feet. When fitted with an optional mounting bracket, this fire extinguisher is U.S. Coast Guard approved. The Pro 110 is constructed using a lightweight and durable powder-coated aluminum cylinder and valve assembly, with a pressure gauge to allow for at-a-glance status checks. This model comes with a six year manufacturer’s warranty.
First Alert Rechargable Fire Extinguisher - Honorable Mention
The First Alert HOME1 fire extinguisher is one of the more affordable rechargeable models available while still offering reliable performance. This ABC rated fire extinguisher is certified for use on minor home fires while its small size and included mounting bracket keep it safely tucked out of the way. The head features a commercial-grade metal valve and trigger with a metal pull pin and safety seal to prevent accidental discharge. A pressure gauge is also included which allows for easy monitoring to ensure the fire extinguisher is always ready for use. TheFirst Alert fire extinguisher is U.S. Coast Guard approved, meets UL standards, and comes with a ten year warranty.
First Alert Fire Extinguisher - Consider
This fire extinguisher from First Alert is ideal for compliance with the minimum fire extinguisher codes for business and some residential buildings. This fire extinguisher is UL rated type 2-A:10-B:C, making it ideal for office, home, and workshop environments. This rechargeable ABC fire extinguisher comes with a code-compliant wall mount included, and fits easily inside a standard fire box. The fire extinguisher is constructed using a heavy duty metal valve and trigger, while a metal pull pin and safety seal prevents accidental discharge. Corrosion-resistant and durable, this fire extinguisher weighs about ten pounds in total. First Alert offers a 12 year warranty on this model.
Kidde 466204 Pro 10 MP Fire Extinguisher - Best Fire Extinguisher
The Kidde Pro 460 rechargeable fire extinguisher offers ten pounds of fire extinguishing agent with a discharge range of 20 feet and useful against Class A, Class B, and Class C fires. The Kidde Pro 460 uses a durable metal head with an easy-to-pull safety pin, and impact-resistant steel construction with a powder-coated cylinder for protection against corrosion.
The pressure gauge makes checking that the fire extinguisher is charged and ready for use simple, while large labels provide clear instructions for proper use. This fire extinguisher is U.S. Coast Guard approved when fitted with an optional approved mounting bracket, although it comes with an included UL approved wall hanger.
Buyer's Guide
Fires are a tricky business. You cannot deny the importance of having fire extinguishers in our homes, offices, and workspaces. Accidental fire hazards can happen at any time, causing unspeakable damage and horrors. Therefore, having a fire extinguisher at your disposal means that you’re prepared for an emergency. But, buying the best fire extinguisher isn’t as easy as picking up a decorative piece off the rack. It requires some technical knowledge on your part, which includes but is not limited to selecting the right type of fire extinguishers, fire classes, and understanding the associated safety labels.
This comprehensive buying guide will break down the nitty and gritty of getting the perfect fire extinguisher for your homes, commercial and residential units.
Why Should You Get A Fire Extinguisher?
It Fire-Proofs Your Home
Well, the basic answer is to put out fires. But above all, a fire extinguisher is not a mere accessory; it is important home safety equipment. Even the smallest of a fire incident can turn out into a messy situation costing the lives of your loved ones and end up damaging your beautiful house. Therefore, the presence of a fire extinguisher on your property ensures swift action of suppressing the fire when possible.
It's the first line of safety against any fire breakouts after the smoke detectors. Therefore, we always recommend investing in a good and certified fire extinguisher to make sure that you are ready to handle any unsavory fiery incident that may occur on your property.
It’s Easy-To-Use
Fire extinguishers aren’t as complex as they seem to be. This long-lasting fire safety equipment comes with a user-friendly manual so it’s easy for you to employ in an unfortunate incident. Plus, many fire safety advocates and organizations also give demonstrations on how to use fire extinguishers during emergencies.
It’s Long Lasting Yet Low Maintenance
The best fire extinguishers with proper maintenance can last you up to 5 years without posing any potential safety hazards. Additionally, all the maintenance that your fire suppressant needs is to shake the cylinder from time to time and yearly service of the parts to make sure that the extinguisher is in working condition.
Which Fire Extinguisher To Opt For? Rechargeable vs. Non-Rechargeable?
Rechargeable vs. Non-Rechargeable?There are two broad variants of fire extinguishers, i.e., rechargeable vs non-rechargeable.
Non-rechargeable fire extinguishers are disposable, one time use cylinders to put out fires. They have a plastic valve that does not support refilling once you release the extinguishing agent to suppress a fire.
Whereas, rechargeable extinguishers are the ones with a shelf life of up to 6 years. The metal valve on this variant allows you to refill the cylinder for multiple uses. Certified dealers can recharge the extinguishers, once it's used or loses the pressure after years of inactivity.
While non-rechargeable fire extinguishers are relatively cheaper; in the longer run, rechargeable cylinders are more cost-efficient. Because you can use them multiple times over the years by just refilling the cylinder. Whereas, once you have used the non-rechargeable fire extinguishers, you have to discard them right away and buy a new one again.
What Should You Know When Buying A Fire Extinguisher?
There are many factors that you should consider when buying the best fire extinguisher for home safety. Going blind is not a good idea. Here are a few essential factors that will make the selection process easier for you.
Choose The Right Extinguishing Agent
Among many different extinguishing agents you must identify the ones that are suitable for your home and fire class. You cannot use a water-based fire extinguisher if the fire is electrical or caused by inflammable liquids. Dry powder or Carbon dioxide extinguisher would fare better in this instance. Similarly, for fire with classes A, B & C, dry powder is an effective extinguishing agent.
Determine The Required Capacity
Determining the right weight and number of fire extinguishers required to ensure the safety of your property can be a difficult feat. To make sure that you are fulfilling safety requirements, consult with fire safety experts and manuals to narrow down the number of extinguishers. The basic extinguisher capacity requirement can be calculated by multiplying the square meters of floor space by 0.065. The multiplied value is equivalent to the fire extinguisher rating and capacity. Fire-sensitive places such as the kitchen, and garage should contain a high-capacity extinguisher.
Know The Discharge & Landing Distance
When you are buying your fire extinguisher, always look up its discharge duration and landing length. The discharge stream in fire extinguishers ranges between 8 seconds to minute. The landing or throw length is the distance between the discharge stream and the fire and it spans around 2-7 meters. If you want a robust and powerful extinguisher for putting out significant fire mishaps, then opt for options that have a longer discharge period and landing distance.
Pressure Gauge
A proper and accurate pressure gauge is an essential component of the best fire extinguishers that are available out there. It not only indicates the pressure level of the cylinder but also contains color-coded marking to show the recharge level of the extinguisher.
The Checklist To Deploying The Fire Extinguisher
When you are contemplating putting out a fire with the extinguisher, you must ensure that the following requirements are met.
. Everyone in your building or property knows of the fire.
. You already called the fire department.
. You have completely evacuated the premises.
. You are capable of handling the fire extinguisher and know how to deploy it
. The fire extinguisher is within your reach.
. You know the source and strength of the fire already.
. You have an escape route if things go south.
FAQ's
Q: What are the three basic fire extinguishing types?
The three types of fire extinguishers are labeled as class A, B, and C, indicating the fire risk they can mitigate. Class A fire extinguishers can mitigate fires caused by wood, plastic, paper, and other common combustibles. Class B indicates the use against sources such as flammable liquids, gasoline, oil & grease. Whereas, class C extinguishers are used against fires caused by electrical devices, fuses, and wires.
Q: What are the different types of extinguishing agents?
Fire extinguishers are not a one size fits all solution. Many different types of fire extinguishing agents can put out specific classes of fires. These extinguishers include water, carbon dioxide, mechanical foam, dry powder, and wet chemical fire suppressants.
Q: How To Use A Fire Extinguisher?
Remember the acronym ‘PASS’ to release the fire extinguisher. ‘PASS’ stands for pull, aim, squeeze and sweep. First, you will pull out the tampering pin and open seal, then aim the nozzle low, towards the source of the fire. Press the handle to initiate the discharge of the extinguishing agent and sweep the extinguisher from side to side to cool down the fire.
