Portable fire extinguishers are anticipated as first line of defense to cope with fires of limited size. They are needed even if the property is equipped with automatic sprinklers, water stand pipe and hose, or other fixed protection equipment. Every facility (commercial industrial, office, etc) is required to have fire extinguishers regardless of any other type of fire protection provided.

Basically, there are five different types of extinguishing agents. Most fire extinguishers display symbols to show the kind of fire on which they are to be used.

To operate an extinguisher

Identify the type of  materials in the area

Class A: SOLIDS such as paper, wood, plastic etc
Class B: FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS such as paraffin, petrol, oil etc
Class C: FLAMMABLE GASES such as propane, butane, methane etc
Class D: METALS such as aluminum, magnesium, titan
Class E: Fires involving ELECTRICAL APPARATUS
Class F: Cooking OIL & FAT etc