Fire Safety

Cambodian Fire Legislation

Cambodian Law on Fire Prevention and Firefighting 2003 – English Version

Fire Extinguishers – Types & Uses

Portable Fire Extinguishers can save lives and property by putting out or containing fires within the capability of the extinguisher. However, they must be of the correct type for the particular fire, and they must be used correctly.

Selection of Fire Extinguishers
There are a number of types of portable fire extinguishers available in Cambodia from FireSafe. Each type of extinguisher may be rated for one or more classes of fire. In some cases, particular extinguishers are not only considered ineffective against certain classes of fire, they can be dangerous if used in those circumstances.

The classes of fire are:

  • Class A         Ordinary Combustibles
  • Class B         Flammable and combustible liquids
  • Class C         Flammable gases
  • Class D         Combustible metals
  • Class E         Electrically energised equipment
  • Class F         Cooking oils and fats

Portable fire extinguishers are distinguishable by their labels. Due to different standards across the world, and no current fire legislation in Cambodia, it is likely that you may encounter two of the same type of extinguisher with different colourings and labels.

The most common types of extinguishers in Cambodia are:

Water
Suitable for Class A fires. Not considered effective for Class B and Class C fires, and dangerous if used for electrically energised equipment or cooking oils or fats.

Foam
Suitable for Class A and Class B fires, with limited effectiveness for Class F fires. Not considered effective for Class C fires, and dangerous if used for electrically energised equipment.

Dry Powder
These extinguishers are rated as either ABC(E) or BC(E). ABC(E) rated extinguishers are considered suitable for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class E fires. They are not considered effective for Class F fires. BC(E) rated extinguishers are considered suitable for Class B, Class C and Class E fires, and may be used with limited effectiveness on Class F fires. They are considered effective for Class A fires.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Suitable for Class E fires. Has limited effectiveness on Class A,
Class B and Class F fires.

Wet Chemical

Suitable on Class F fires and may be used on Class A fires. Not considered effective for Class B or Class C fires and dangerous if used on Class E fires.

Class D fires require special purpose extinguishers.

Always read the fire extinguisher label carefully before use.

 

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FireSafe Cambodia has adopted the green picture squares required under Australia Standards as this is an easy and quick way to determine the suitability of the fire extinguisher.

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