Fire Extinguisher Types for Industrial Use: Selection Guide for Indian Factories

Understanding Fire Classes in Indian Industry

Indian fire safety uses six fire classes:

• Class A: Ordinary combustibles — wood, paper, cloth, plastic (common in textile, furniture, packaging factories)
• Class B: Flammable liquids — petrol, diesel, paint, solvents, chemicals (chemical plants, automotive, pharma)
• Class C: Flammable gases and electrical fires — LPG, electrical panels, motors (all industrial premises)
• Class D: Combustible metals — magnesium, titanium, sodium (specialised manufacturing)
• Class E: Electrical equipment (live) — control rooms, server rooms, switchgear
• Class F: Cooking oils and fats — industrial kitchens, canteens, food processing

The 5 Main Extinguisher Types for Industrial Use

1. ABC Dry Powder (Monoammonium Phosphate)

Best for: General factory floors, warehouses, vehicle bays, outdoor areas
Fire classes: A, B, C
Capacities: 2 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg, 9 kg, 25 kg (trolley)
Advantages: Versatile, covers most common industrial fires, affordable
Disadvantages: Leaves corrosive residue, poor visibility after discharge, not suitable near food or electronics
IS standard: IS 15683, IS 13849

2. CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

Best for: Server rooms, electrical panels, control rooms, switchgear, labs
Fire classes: B, C, E (electrical)
Capacities: 2 kg, 4.5 kg, 6.5 kg, 22.5 kg
Advantages: Non-conductive, no residue, does not damage equipment
Disadvantages: Ineffective on Class A fires, dangerous in confined spaces (oxygen displacement), no cooling effect
IS standard: IS 2878

3. Foam / AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam)

Best for: Flammable liquid storage tanks, fuel handling areas, petrochemical zones
Fire classes: A, B
Capacities: 9 litre, 50 litre (trolley)
Advantages: Forms vapour-suppressing blanket on liquid fires, effective on Class A too
Disadvantages: Not for electrical fires, messy clean-up, freezes in cold storage areas
IS standard: IS 15683

4. Wet Chemical

Best for: Commercial and industrial kitchens, canteens, food processing lines
Fire classes: F (cooking oil fires), also A
Capacities: 2 litre, 6 litre, 9 litre
Advantages: Only type that safely extinguishes hot cooking oil fires — mandatory for commercial kitchens
Disadvantages: Limited to kitchen/cooking oil applications
IS standard: IS 15683

5. Clean Agent (Halotron / FM-200)

Best for: Data centres, telecom equipment rooms, museums, medical equipment areas
Fire classes: B, C, E
Advantages: No residue, no water damage, safe for sensitive electronics
Disadvantages: High cost, limited availability, specialised maintenance

IS 2190 Industrial Placement Requirements

IS 2190 specifies these placement rules for industrial extinguishers:

• Maximum travel distance: 23 metres to nearest extinguisher for Class A, 15 metres for Class B/C
• Mounting height: 1 to 1.5 metres (to handle, not base of cylinder)
• Location: Near exits and escape routes, NOT near potential ignition sources
• Signage: Red location sign above each unit, visible from 10 metres
• Grouping: Where multiple types are needed at a risk point, group them together
• Access: Never store behind equipment, inside locked cabinets, or under staircases

Recommended Setup by Industry Type

• Textile factory: ABC dry powder throughout + CO2 at electrical panels
• Chemical plant: Foam (AFFF) at storage + CO2 at control room + ABC general areas
• Food processing: Wet chemical in kitchen + ABC in production + CO2 at panels
• Auto workshop: ABC general + CO2 at battery/electrical + foam at fuel storage
• Pharmaceutical: CO2 or clean agent at labs + ABC general + wet chemical in canteen