Masonry Magazine December 1986 Page. 37
New Fire Extinguisher Symbols
Use on "A" Types
ATRASH WOOD PAPER
LIQUIDS GREASE
ELECTRICAL EQUIP
Use on "A/B" Types
A TRASH WOOD PAPER
LIQUIDS GREASE
ELECTRICAL EQUIP
Use on "B/C" Types
A TRASH WOOD PAPER
LIQUIDS GREASE
Use on "A/B/C" Types
A TRASH WOOD PAPER
ELECTRICAL EQUIP
LIQUIDS GREASE
ELECTRICAL EQUIP
New picture symbols showing the uses for each of four types of fire extinguishers were approved by the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) in May, 1978.
Ease of recognition is the reason for the change from the old symbols, which showed a letter A, B, or C-inside a geometric shape. It was felt that the old symbols might be easily confused in an emergency because the symbol's meaning had to be memorized.
In the future, the four most common types of fire extinguisher will have picture symbols, which illustrate the kinds of fires for which a particular extinguisher is suitable. No symbol was designed for type D extinguishers for fires in metals-because this class of fire is rare.
The new symbols consist of three panels, each of which depicts the nature of one class of fire, and whether or not the extinguisher can be used on them.
The colors used in the panels are important because they show at a glance the hazard(s) for which an extinguisher is applicable.
Panels printed in blue show the class of fire on which it is safe to use the extinguisher. Panels that show a class of fire on which it is dangerous to use the extinguisher are printed in black, with a red slash running diagonally through the panel.
A symbol showing all three panels printed in blue indicates an extinguisher that can be safely used on all three classes of common fires an A/B/C extinguisher. A symbol showing the first two panels in bright blue, and the last in black with a red slash indicates an extinguisher that can be used safely on Class A and Class B fires, but not on Class C fires-an A/B extinguisher.
The symbols are already in use and are being applied to all new fire extinguishers made. Replacement of old symbols with the new is recommended by NAFED.
For more information on the symbols, contact a local fire equipment distributor.
MASONRY-NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 1986 37