Fire Extinguishers Rating

Fire Extinguishers Rating

Unlike some products, extinguishers have to be installed in public premises, and a standard form of assessment is required to determine how many extinguishers and what type are needed to protect a given risk. There are two main rating systems: CEN (European System) U.L. (American System)

CEN European System Class A Fire Extinguishers

Crib of wooden sticks. All cribs are 0.56 meters high and 0.5 meters wide, but the length varies for specific ratings. For example the length is 0.3 m for 3A & 5.5 m for 55 A. A tray containing Heptane is placed under the crib to light the fire.(The test fires are located indoors.) After 2 minutes the try is removed, Fire allowed to burn for 6 minutes. For the test to be successful it is essential that all flames should be extinguished and there should be no recurrence of flaming during the three minutes following the complete discharge of the extinguisher. 2 tests out of 3 succeeded Ext. passed the test

Class A Fire Tests

Class A test fire Side view showing 13A fire

Class A Test Fire

Length of Wooden Curbs

Rate 3A 5A 8A 13A 21A 27A 34A 43A 55A Length of Wooden Curbs 0.3 meter 0.5 meter 0.8 meter 1.3 meter 2.1 meter 2.7 meter 3.4 meter 4.3 meter 5.5 meter

Class B Flammable Liquids

Tests are conducted in a range of welded sheet circular cylindrical trays. Each tray in the series is designated by a number representing the amount of fuel required in liters as in the table. The fuel is Heptane. The fire is allowed for 1 minute pre-burn. The wind speed should not be greater than 3m/sec. And ambient temp. between 0 30 degree C. 2 tests out of 3 Ext. succeeded.

Class B Tests

Rating 8B 13B 21B 34B

Volume of Fuel in Liter 8 liters 13 liters 21 liters 34 Liters

55B 70B
89B 113B 144B 183B 233B

55 liters 70 Liters
89 liters 113 Liters 144 liters 183Liters 233 Liters

U.L. Rating System Class A Fire Test

Wood Crib Fire Test: Tests up to 10A in draft free room. For rating class exceeding 10A the test may be conducted outdoors . A test fire shall be considered to be extinguished no self reignition. 2 tests out of 3 ext. succeeded.

Class A Fire Test

Dimension of Wooden Curbs

Rate # of Sticks Dimension # of # of In millimeter Layer Sticks in s each layer 45X45X500 10 5 45X45X600 14 7 9 11 15

1A 3A 6A 10A 20A

50 98 153 209 150

45X45X1000 17 45X45X1220 19 45X65X1500 10

Class B Fire Test

Flammable liquid fire tests are to be conducted in a large volume draft-free room for a rating 20B. For more than 20B rating is conducted outdoor. Tests to be conducted in square shape trays.

Class B Fire Test

Class B Fire Test

Rating 1B 10B 20B 30B 40B 60B 80B Volume of Fuel 12 LITER 120 LITER 250 LITER 350 LITER 475 LITER 720 LITER 950 LITER

Outdoor Tests
120-B
160-B

375 gallons
500 gallons

240-B
320-B

750 gallons
1000 gallons

480-B
640-B

1500 gallons
2000 gallons