• All fire extinguishers need to be located within 75 feet of a potential fire hazard and must be chosen to be appropriate for the hazard.  If you have questions about fire extinguishers, contact EHS at 404-894-3473.
  • All persons working at Georgia Tech are required to take fire extinguisher training initially and annually thereafter.
ABC Extinguishers (AKA Dry Chemical Extinguishers)

The most commonly found type of extinguisher in GT labs.  They are effective against paper fires (Class A fires), burning liquids (Class B fires), and electrical fires (Class C fires)  However, the ABC extinguisher is filled with monoammonium phosphate, a yellow powder that leaves a corrosive sticky residue that may be damaging to electrical equipment such as a computers, NMRs, or other sensitive electrical equipment.

Type A - ordinary combustiblesType A - ordinary combustiblesType B - flammable liquidsType B - flammable liquidsType C - electrical equipmentType C - electrical equipment

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers

Are effective against burning liquids, such as hydrocarbons, and electrical fires (Class B and C fires).  They are recommended for fires involving delicate instruments and optical systems because they do not damage such equipment.  They are less effective against paper, trash or metal fires and SHOULD NOT be used against lithium or aluminum hydride fires.

Met-L-X Extinguishers

And others that have special granular formulations are effective against burning metal (Class D fires).  Included in this category are fires involving magnesium, lithium, sodium, and potassium; alloys of reactive metals; and metal hydrides, metal alkyls, and other organo-metallics.  These extinguishers are less effective against paper and trash, liquid or electrical fires.

Water extinguishers have been discontinued at Georgia Tech .  If your lab still has one of these, please call the Georgia Tech Fire Safety Office at 404-894-3473 to have the extinguisher removed and replaced with a more appropriate extinguisher.  DO NOT attempt to use this extinguisher on electrical, liquid or metal fires.

Type D - combustible metals

Using Fire Extinguishers

Never attempt to use a fire extinguisher if the fire is between you and the exit.  In such a case the only appropriate course of action is to evacuate. If you do decide to fight a fire, have someone pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building while you fight the fire.

See a summary of fire safety information and how to use a fire extinguisher here.