ABC dry chemical, CO2, Class K wet chemical, clean agent Halotron, and water mist extinguishers from the industry's top manufacturers. UL-rated units from 2.5 lb portable to 150 lb wheeled, plus fire blankets, stands, and accessories. Supplied by RPS Building Specialties across Southern California.
Every fire extinguisher is rated for specific fire classes. Choosing the right extinguisher starts with understanding what type of fire you need to protect against.
Each extinguisher type is designed for specific fire hazards and environments. Here is a detailed look at the five main types used in commercial applications.
The most versatile and widely used commercial fire extinguisher. ABC dry chemical extinguishers use monoammonium phosphate powder to smother fires across three classes: ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and energized electrical equipment. Available in 5 lb, 10 lb, and 20 lb sizes, they are the standard choice for offices, retail spaces, warehouses, and general commercial environments.
CO2 extinguishers displace oxygen to smother fires without leaving any residue whatsoever. This makes them the preferred choice for server rooms, electrical panels, control rooms, and laboratories where equipment damage from powder or chemical agents is unacceptable. CO2 units are heavier than equivalent ABC models and feature a distinctive hard horn discharge nozzle.
Class K extinguishers use a wet chemical agent (potassium acetate or potassium citrate) specifically designed for cooking oil and grease fires in commercial kitchens. NFPA 10 requires Class K extinguishers within 30 feet travel distance of any commercial cooking appliance that uses cooking oils or fats. They work alongside kitchen hood suppression systems and are mandatory for restaurants, cafeterias, food courts, and hotel kitchens.
Clean agent extinguishers (Halotron I is the most common) provide the versatility of ABC coverage with zero residue, making them ideal for data centers, museums, archives, telecommunications rooms, and clean rooms. The agent evaporates completely after discharge. Clean agent units cost 3 to 5 times more than equivalent ABC extinguishers, but the protection of sensitive equipment and irreplaceable items justifies the investment.
Water mist extinguishers use deionized water dispersed as a fine mist to cool and suppress fires. Because deionized water is non-conductive, these units are safe for use around energized electrical equipment (Class C). They are the preferred choice for hospitals, operating rooms, MRI suites, historic buildings, and environments where chemical agents could damage delicate materials or cause health concerns. Water mist leaves no chemical residue.
From compact 2.5 lb units for vehicles and small offices to 150 lb wheeled units for heavy industrial applications, here is how each size is typically deployed.
| Size | Typical UL Rating (ABC) | Common Use | Travel Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 lb | 1-A:10-B:C | Small offices, vehicles, personal workstations | 75 ft (Class A) |
| 5 lb | 2-A:10-B:C or 3-A:40-B:C | Standard commercial (most common), light-hazard offices | 75 ft (Class A) |
| 10 lb | 4-A:60-B:C or 4-A:80-B:C | Larger areas, moderate hazards, retail, manufacturing | 75 ft (Class A) / 50 ft (Class B) |
| 20 lb | 10-A:120-B:C | Industrial, warehouse, high-hazard areas | 75 ft (Class A) / 50 ft (Class B) |
| 50 lb (wheeled) | 20-A:120-B:C | Large warehouse, manufacturing floors | 75 ft (Class A) / 50 ft (Class B) |
| 125-150 lb (wheeled) | 40-A:240-B:C to 40-A:320-B:C | Heavy industrial, loading docks, fuel storage areas | 75 ft (Class A) / 50 ft (Class B) |
Extinguishers weighing 40 lbs or less must be mounted with the top no higher than 5 feet (60 inches) above the finished floor. Units over 40 lbs must be mounted with the top no higher than 3.5 feet (42 inches). The bottom of all extinguishers must be at least 4 inches above the floor.
Every commercial fire extinguisher carries a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) rating that tells you exactly what it can handle. Here is how to read it.
| Occupancy Hazard | Minimum Rating | Max Area per Unit | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Hazard | 2-A | 6,000 sq ft | Offices, churches, classrooms |
| Ordinary Group 1 | 2-A | 3,000 sq ft | Retail stores, parking garages |
| Ordinary Group 2 | 2-A to 4-A | 3,000 sq ft | Manufacturing, machine shops |
| Extra Hazard | 4-A to 6-A | 3,000 sq ft | Woodworking, auto repair, aircraft hangars |
Beyond extinguishers, these accessories complete your fire safety setup for code compliance and practical protection.
Fiberglass or wool fire blankets in quick-release wall-mounted containers. Smother small grease fires, wrap clothing fires, and contain lab bench fires. Sized from 3 ft by 3 ft for kitchens up to 6 ft by 8 ft for industrial welding areas.
Red powder-coated steel stands for areas where wall mounting is impractical. Single and double configurations available, with optional wheeled bases for portability. Keeps extinguishers visible and accessible without drilling into walls or columns.
Heavy-duty brackets with vibration-dampening mounts and quick-release mechanisms for trucks, forklifts, heavy equipment, and fleet vehicles. DOT-compliant designs for commercial vehicle requirements. Available for 2.5 lb through 20 lb extinguishers.
UV-resistant vinyl or polyethylene covers in red with "FIRE EXTINGUISHER" text for visibility. Protect extinguishers from sun, rain, dust, and debris while maintaining fire code compliance and quick access. Sized for 5 lb, 10 lb, and 20 lb units.
We supply commercial fire extinguishers from all five major manufacturers, giving you access to the right product for any application and budget.
Architects and fire protection engineers frequently specify extinguisher brands in construction documents. Amerex is the most specified brand for premium commercial and industrial applications. Kidde and Badger dominate the volume commercial channel. Ansul (SENTRY line) is the standard for heavy industrial environments including cartridge-operated and RED LINE units. Buckeye offers competitive alternatives across all categories. RPS can supply any specified brand and match your project requirements exactly.
Every extinguisher type has strengths and considerations. Use this comparison to determine the right type for your specific environment.
| Type | Fire Classes | Strengths | Considerations | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Dry Chemical | A, B, C | Most versatile Lowest cost Widely available |
Corrosive powder residue Damages electronics Extensive cleanup needed |
Offices, retail, warehouses, general commercial |
| CO2 | B, C | Zero residue Safe for electronics No cleanup required |
No Class A coverage Limited range (3-8 ft) Heavier units |
Server rooms, electrical panels, laboratories |
| Class K Wet Chemical | K | Designed for cooking oils Prevents re-ignition NFPA 96 compliant |
Kitchen-specific only Must pair with hood system Higher cost per unit |
Commercial kitchens, restaurants, cafeterias |
| Clean Agent / Halotron | A, B, C | Zero residue Full A/B/C coverage Non-conductive |
3-5x cost of ABC Lower UL ratings per pound Limited sizes available |
Data centers, museums, archives, clean rooms |
| Water Mist | A, C | Non-conductive (deionized) No chemical residue Environmentally safe |
No Class B coverage Less common, fewer models Higher cost than ABC |
Hospitals, operating rooms, historic buildings |
Common questions about commercial fire extinguishers answered by our fire safety product specialists.
The right size depends on your occupancy hazard level and square footage. For light-hazard spaces like offices and churches, a 5 lb ABC extinguisher rated 2-A:10-B:C covers up to 6,000 sq ft with a 75 ft maximum travel distance. Ordinary-hazard spaces like retail and manufacturing need at least a 2-A rated unit per 3,000 sq ft. Extra-hazard environments like woodworking shops and auto repair facilities require 4-A to 6-A rated units. Larger 10 lb and 20 lb extinguishers provide higher UL ratings for greater coverage, while 50 lb and 150 lb wheeled units serve large warehouse and heavy industrial applications.
A Class K fire extinguisher uses wet chemical agent (potassium acetate or potassium citrate) specifically designed to extinguish cooking oil and grease fires in commercial kitchens. NFPA 10 requires Class K extinguishers within 30 feet travel distance of any commercial cooking appliance that uses cooking oils or fats. This includes restaurants, cafeterias, food courts, hotel kitchens, and any facility with commercial fryers, griddles, or woks. Popular models include the Amerex B260 (6-liter) and Badger WC-100. Class K extinguishers work alongside kitchen hood suppression systems — they do not replace them.
A UL rating like 4-A:60-B:C tells you exactly what fire classes the extinguisher handles and its capacity. The number before A (4-A) means it can extinguish a Class A fire equivalent to 4 times a standard test fire of 1.25 gallons of water — higher numbers mean more capacity. The number before B (60-B) indicates the square footage of a Class B flammable liquid fire it can handle — 60-B means up to 60 square feet. The C simply means it is safe for use on energized electrical equipment (no numerical rating). So a 4-A:60-B:C extinguisher handles ordinary combustibles, up to 60 sq ft of flammable liquid fires, and is safe for electrical fires.
ABC dry chemical extinguishers use monoammonium phosphate powder and are the most versatile and common — they handle Class A (combustibles), B (flammable liquids), and C (electrical) fires. However, they leave a corrosive powder residue that can damage electronics and requires extensive cleanup. CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers displace oxygen to smother fires and leave absolutely zero residue. They are rated for Class B and C fires only (not Class A). CO2 extinguishers are the preferred choice for server rooms, electrical panels, laboratories, and anywhere equipment damage from residue is a concern. CO2 units are heavier and more expensive than equivalent ABC units.
Fire blankets are not a replacement for fire extinguishers, but they are a valuable complement in specific environments. Commercial kitchens benefit from fire blankets as a first response for small grease fires and for wrapping a person whose clothing has caught fire. Welding and hot work areas use blankets to contain sparks and smother small fires. Laboratories keep them on hand for chemical spills and bench-top fires. Fire blankets come in sizes from 3 ft by 3 ft for kitchens up to 6 ft by 8 ft for industrial welding applications. They mount on the wall in a quick-release container for immediate access.