Classification of Fire Extinguishers

Pursuant to Clause 1.5.8 Section 1 of the National Technical Regulation QCVN 01:2019/BCA issued together with Circular 52/2019/TT-BCA, based on the structural characteristics, features, and functions, fire extinguishers are classified into the following basic types:

a) By weight: Fire extinguishers are classified into portable types (weighing less than 20 kg) and mobile types with wheels (weighing from 20 kg to under 400 kg).

b) By type of extinguishing agent: Fire extinguishers are classified into:

- Water fire extinguishers;

- Foam fire extinguishers (chemical foam A + B or air-foam);

- Powder fire extinguishers;

- Gas fire extinguishers (Carbon dioxide - CO₂, halon, or gas mixtures);

c) By pressure release principle: Fire extinguishers are classified into:

- Fire extinguishers with direct pressure (compressed gas directly with the extinguishing agent);

- Fire extinguishers with isolated pressure from the extinguishing agent (with gas cylinder);

d) By working pressure: Fire extinguishers are classified into:

- Low-pressure fire extinguishers: With working pressure less than or equal to 2.5 Mpa (25 kg/cm^2^) at an external ambient temperature of (20 ± 2)ºC;

- High-pressure fire extinguishers: With working pressure greater than 2.5 Mpa (25 kg/cm^2^) at an external ambient temperature of (20 ± 2)ºC.

e) By the application and effectiveness of the extinguishing agent: Fire extinguishers are classified into:

- Fire extinguishers for solid fires (Class A fires);

- Fire extinguishers for liquid fires (Class B fires);

- Fire extinguishers for gas fires (Class C fires);

- Fire extinguishers for metal and metallic compound fires (Class D fires);

- Fire extinguishers for electrical equipment fires (Class E fires).

Note: Fire extinguishers may be able to extinguish multiple types of fires.

f) For water fire extinguishers: Based on the spray, water fire extinguishers are classified into:

- Dense water spray fire extinguishers;

- Rain spray fire extinguishers (water droplet diameter greater than 100 micrometers);

- Mist spray fire extinguishers (water droplet diameter less than 100 micrometers).

g) For foam fire extinguishers: Based on the foam expansion, foam fire extinguishers are classified into:

- Low expansion ratio foam fire extinguishers (from 5 to 20);

- Medium expansion ratio foam fire extinguishers (from over 20 to 200).

h) For powder fire extinguishers: Based on the effectiveness and composition of the extinguishing powder, powder fire extinguishers are classified into:

- General-purpose powder fire extinguishers (Type ABC, ABCD);

- Specialized powder fire extinguishers for Class D fires and certain other types of fires.

We provide this information for your reference.

Respectfully,