Hospital kitchens are legally required to have Class K fire extinguishers. These wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed to suppress fires involving cooking oils, vegetable fats, and animal fats.
Class K extinguishers should be installed no greater than 30 feet away from any cooking equipment presenting a fire hazard. This ensures quick access in the event of a fire.
A Class K fire extinguisher is an essential safety device in any kitchen that uses cooking oils and fats. Understanding what it is, what it's used for, and who needs one can make all the difference in an emergency.
A class F fire extinguisher is a wet chemical extinguisher and is used to tackle fires where cooking oil, fat or grease are involved. This is because this type of extinguisher is not aimed at the liquid itself, therefore removing the risk of splashing hot oil or spreading the fire further.
Class K extinguishers are meant to be used against fires involving deep fat or cooking oil fires. The big difference is the type and depth of the flammable substance and whether it be a liquid (oil) or a solid (animal fat). Another difference is the speed at which the extinguishing agent is dispelled from the cylinder.
For a home kitchen, the safest and most recommended fire extinguisher is a Class B:C extinguisher (specifically one rated 711A for residential cooking). Alternatively, a multipurpose Class ABC extinguisher works, while commercial kitchens require a Class K wet chemical extinguisher.
Class K fire extinguishers are designed to extinguish fires in the kitchen, both commercial and residential. K Class fire extinguishers are what is needed to extinguish fires involving vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats utilized in commercial cooking appliances.
Class B Fire Extinguishers
Best Use: Can be used in kitchens, especially where flammable liquids are stored or used, but not ideal for cooking oil fires.
The best fire extinguisher for a home kitchen is an ABC-rated or B:C-rated extinguisher, such as the Kidde FA110 Fire Extinguisher. For commercial kitchens or heavy home frying, a Class K wet chemical extinguisher is the required standard.
Class A fires – are fires involving organic solids like paper, wood, etc. Class B fires – are fires involving flammable liquids. Class C fires – are fires involving flammable gasses. Class D fires – are fires involving burning metals (eg aluminium swarf)
However, it is important to know that Class ABC fire extinguishers are not suitable for commercial kitchens. For commercial kitchens, you need Class K fire extinguishers. Continue reading to learn: Why Class ABC fire extinguishers do not work for cooking fires.
Purple K is commonly used in high-risk areas such as: oil refineries, airport ramps, service stations, military facilities, naval warships, power plants, and other places where flammable liquids are handled. It is the most effective dry chemical in fighting class B (flammable liquid) or Class C (electrical) fires.
ABC fire extinguishers and other dry chemical agents work for some fires, but they're not the first line of defence for Class K fires. Traditional chemical fire extinguishers that are not rated for Class K are pressurized and can push the fire deeper into the oils and fats making the fire worse.
A Dry Powder (ABE) fire extinguisher is a versatile and widely used option, suitable for Class A (combustible materials), Class B (flammable liquids), and Class E (electrical) fires. For patient care areas, Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) fire extinguishers are often recommended.
A CO2cap C cap O sub 2𝐶𝑂2 fire extinguisher should never be used on Class A fires (wood, paper, cloth), Class K fires (cooking oils and grease), or Class D fires (flammable metals). Because they displace oxygen rather than cool the fuel, these extinguishers pose severe reignition, spreading, and asphyxiation risks.
Different extinguishers are recommended for residential and commercial kitchens. The Class ABC extinguisher remediates home kitchen fires. However, commercial kitchens need to be protected with a Class K extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers are categorized into five primary classes (A, B, C, D, and K) based on the type of fuel feeding the fire. Using the correct extinguisher is critical, as using the wrong type can cause electrical shock, explosions, or spread the fire.
An ABC fire extinguisher is a good general-purpose option, including in kitchens—but not for grease fires. For safe, complete coverage, use ABC units for electronics and paper fires, and pair them with Class K extinguishers for cooking oils.
*Class D Fire Extinguishers are mainly used for the aircraft industry, auto body shops, factories that work with metals, and other metal fire hazards.
The type of fire extinguisher most often found in kitchens depends on whether it is a home or commercial setting.
Class F wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed for kitchen fires that occur in both commercial and domestic kitchens. They are very effective in putting out both grease fires and oil fires through the process of saponification.
Class F fires (cooking fires) – Where oils and fats are burning at high temperatures, a CO2 extinguisher would only risk spreading the liquid and the fire. Instead, you need a wet chemical fire extinguisher to create a cooling layer on the top of the liquid which will then extinguish the flames.
While these are technically flammable liquids, Class “B” extinguishers are not suitable to address the special kinds of hazards found in commercial kitchens. Class “K” fire extinguishers use chemical agents that react with hot oils or grease to turn it into a non-flammable soap-like substance.
Kitchen fire extinguishers (often Class K or B:C) are formulated to suppress grease and oil fires without splashing burning liquid. Regular extinguishers (usually Class A:B:C) are multipurpose devices that handle wood, paper, and electrical fires, but their stronger spray can scatter hazardous grease.
🅱️ Class B – Flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, and paint ➡️ Use Foam, CO2, or Dry Chemical extinguishers. ❌ NEVER use water—it can spread the fire! 🇨 Class C – Electrical fires (appliances, outlets, wiring) ➡️ Use CO2 or Dry Chemical (ABC) extinguishers.