What Type of Fire Extinguisher Should Be Used On Cooking Oil Fires

Cooking oil fires can be a highly dangerous occurrence in the kitchen. They can escalate into a major fire in just seconds, so it's essential to take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of a kitchen fire.

Fires that involve cooking oils, fats, and grease require a Class F fire extinguisher that is equipped with a special type of foam. This smothers the fire and starves it of oxygen.

Providing you use suitable equipment, kitchen fires can be quickly and effectively extinguished.

In this article, we take a closer look at which type of extinguishers are used for tackling cooking oil fires.

Importance of fire safety in the kitchen

Cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires, and kitchen fires can quickly spread, causing extensive damage. Therefore, adhering to fire safety measures in the kitchen could be critical in the protection of both property and life.

To minimise the risk of a kitchen fire it’s essential to follow basic fire safety precautions. These include keeping combustible materials a safe distance away from the cooker. While cooking oil on the hob, never leave food unattended, and always have a fire extinguisher nearby. A fire blanket is also useful in smothering the pan until the contents have cooled sufficiently.

Additionally, have a fire evacuation plan in place to make sure all household members know exactly what to do should fire break out.

By taking these steps, you can help to protect your home, your family, and your personal possessions from the devastating effects of a kitchen emergency.

Understanding cooking oil fires

The causes of cooking oil fires are often the result of oils themselves being left unattended. This allows them to overheat and may lead to the oil reaching its combustion point. At this stage it is likely to erupt from the pan and ignite anything combustible nearby, such as tea towels and kitchen units.

They are characterised by fast-spreading, intense flames, along with heavy smoke. These can quickly develop into a larger and more dangerous fire.

Under no circumstances should water or standard extinguishers be used on a burning pan – they would cause the oil to erupt and spread the fire. In addition, never attempt to remove the pan. Serious burns have been known to occur when someone attempts this. Just turn the heat off and use the F class extinguisher or fire blanket, which should be left in place for an hour while the oil cools.

Using the correct fire extinguisher is crucial in this instance – would you know which fire extinguisher to use for cooking oil fires?

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Classifications of fire extinguishers

Class A, B, C, D, and F fire extinguishers are the 5 main types of extinguisher. They are designed to put out different types of fires, such as combustible materials, flammable liquids and gases, electrical fires, flammable metals, and cooking oils and fats.

Each type of fire extinguisher is equipped with specific agents effective at extinguishing the particular type of fire it is designed for.

Fire extinguishers for cooking oil fires

Class F fire extinguishers are the most suitable extinguisher for cooking oil fires. They are equipped with a special type of foam that forms a crust which smothers the fire and deprives it of oxygen.

You’ll find Class F fire extinguishers in various shapes and sizes, making them suitable and a good fit for different kitchen izes.

Having a Class F fire extinguisher permanently available and easily accessible in your kitchen can greatly increase your chances of successfully putting out a fire in the worse case scenario.

As with all fire safety, the importance of using the right type of fire extinguisher shouldn’t be underestimated. Be prepared for a cooking oil fire by having a Class F fire extinguisher in the kitchen and have it serviced annually to keep yourself and your home safe.

Are you considering which fire extinguishers are suitable for your workplace? To find out more about how we can help you and your business with fire safety compliance, training and extinguisher maintenance contact us today.