A portable fire extinguisher is a vital safety device for any home, providing the ability to combat small fires before they escalate. It is a self-contained unit containing an extinguishing agent that can be discharged to suppress or stop the spread of fire. According to the Australian National Coronial Information System, nearly 992 people lost their lives to preventable residential fires between 2001 and 2019, averaging 52 deaths per year—approximately one person every week.
In this article, we aim to help homeowners choose the best portable fire extinguisher for their homes or holiday houses, ensuring the protection of their families and properties from fire risks.
Why Fire Safety Matters
Russ Porus, the CEO and founder of Firewize, a company with over 20 years of experience in fire safety. My interest in fire safety is personal; when I was young, our family home was destroyed in a fire. Fortunately, my family and I were not at home at the time, and no one was injured. However, the experience instilled in me the importance of fire safety.
Legal Requirements and Recommendations
There are no legal obligations in Australia for homeowners to install a portable fire extinguisher, but it’s strongly recommended. Firewise employees, including myself, all have fire extinguishers at home because we believe in the importance of being prepared. In fact, a combination of a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket can provide excellent protection for your home, and these devices come at an affordable price.
Understanding Fire Classifications
To select the appropriate fire extinguisher, it’s essential to understand the types of fires that may occur in the home. Fires are classified into six categories:
- Class A: Combustibles like paper, wood, cloth, and plastic
- Class B: Flammable liquids
- Class C: Flammable gases
- Class D: Combustible metals
- Class E: Electrically energized equipment
- Class F: Cooking oils and fats
Each fire type requires a specific extinguisher, and some extinguishers cover multiple classifications. However, when it comes to electric vehicle battery fires, there are currently no approved extinguishers in Australia.
Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher
There are many types of fire extinguishers available, and while we won’t cover all of them here, we recommend dry powder fire extinguishers for most home fire safety needs. These extinguishers provide protection against a wide range of fires and are cost-effective, easy to use, and readily available in capacities of 1 kg, 1.5 kg, and 2.5 kg.
For ease of use, it’s best to choose a model with a hose rather than a nozzle. The hose offers greater flexibility, making it easier to direct the extinguishing agent at the fire’s source. While other types of extinguishers may be necessary in certain situations, a dry powder extinguisher is a solid choice for most homeowners.
Performance Rating of Fire Extinguishers
- Use to fight basic fires common to the home involving trash, wood, paper (Class A), flammable liquids and gases (Class B…
- Tough, aluminum valve assembly & easy to pull safety pin
- Lightweight aluminum cylinder with durable, all metal construction
When purchasing a fire extinguisher, it’s essential to consider its performance rating, which measures its effectiveness in stopping a fire. Not all extinguishers of the same capacity or volume have the same performance rating. This difference is similar to how cars, even of the same make and model, can have vastly different engines, such as a 4-cylinder or a V8. For home use, investing in a higher-quality extinguisher is crucial—choosing a cheaper model could result in not being able to effectively stop a fire.
Fire Blankets
- PREPARED HERO EMERGENCY FIRE BLANKET: Extinguish small fires quickly and easily with no mess (unlike common fire extingu…
- PREPARED HERO PEACE OF MIND: Peace of mind for when fire happens from the brand you trust. Keep the Fire Blanket in the …
- LIGHTWEIGHT FIRE SUPPRESSION BLANKET: Effective on liquid or grease fires. It Works in different types of fire as well. …
In addition to a fire extinguisher, we recommend having a fire blanket in your home. A fire blanket is a passive, low-maintenance item of equipment that is reliable and easy to use. It’s ideal for smothering small fires, such as those involving cooking oils or fats. You can find more information about fire blankets and their uses on our website, along with a more detailed video on the subject.
Summary and Best Practices
To summarize the key takeaways:
- Although not legally required, having a fire extinguisher in your home is highly advisable, and a fire blanket should be considered as well.
- The dry powder fire extinguisher is an excellent choice for most homes, providing broad protection.
- Depending on the size of your home, there are three sizes of dry powder fire extinguishers (1 kg, 1.5 kg, and 2.5 kg) that are perfect for a range of properties, including those with garages or workshops.
Stay safe, and remember that a small investment in fire safety can prevent a disaster.
