Fire disaster is a potentially preventable event. In Indonesia, we often hear of fires that devour many houses or buildings due to dense settlements.
To prevent this unpleasant incident, you must prepare a Light Fire Extinguisher, known as APAR (Alat Pemadam Api Ringan), at home as first aid in the event of a fire. However, you can only use fire extinguishers to extinguish small fires before the fire brigade team arrives. To provide more protection, it’s a good idea to have your property equipped with fire insurance. In addition, keep the appropriate APAR ready to protect the house from fire risk.
Classification of Fire Class A, B, C, D, and K
You can prepare many types of fire extinguishers at home. However, to determine which fire extinguisher is suitable and effectively used, you need to know the classification or class of fire in advance.
Based on Permenaker No. 4 of 1980, there are four classifications of fires divided, specifically Class A, B, C, and D.
- Class A fires are classes that occur due to solid non-metallic objects, such as paper, plastic, wood, and cloth.
- Class B fires are caused by flammable liquid materials such as gasoline, alcohol, paint, and methanol.
- Then, a class C fire occurred due to improper electrical installation.
- Class D fires are a class of fires that occur due to flammable metal materials such as sodium, magnesium, lithium, potassium, and aluminum.
- Lastly, class K fires often occur in the kitchen due to cooking ingredients such as fats and oils.
What is APAR
APAR, also known as a fire extinguisher, is a tool that can extinguish fires and control small fires. This tool is indispensable as one of the first aids when a fire occurs in the house or building before the firefighters arrive.
APAR itself has become one of the mandatory equipment in the company as a form of complying with K3. However, unfortunately, there are still many cases of fires occurring at home. Reporting from CNN Indonesia, in 2021, there were 17,768 fire cases in Indonesia. Therefore, in addition to having fire insurance, you also need to provide an APAR that is suitable to be placed at home.
Types of Fire Extinguishers for Household Needs
As previously mentioned, various fire extinguishers are divided on the material used to extinguish the fire according to the cause. However, two types of fire extinguishers are suitable for you to provide at home as a risk mitigation tool.
- Dry Powder Extinguishers for class A, B, and C fires
This type of chemical powder fire extinguisher or dry powder consists of chemical dry powder. The powder is a combination of ammonium sulfate and monoammonium. The powder will be released and cover the burning material, so oxygen and fire are separated. You need to know that oxygen is also an essential element during a fire. This fire extinguisher is effective for extinguishing fires in classes A, B, and C. Cars can also use the powder.
- Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers for Kitchen Fires
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers are very suitable for extinguishing fires in the kitchen. It developed to fight fires caused by cooking oil and grease.
How to Use APAR
To make it easier for you to remember how to use the APAR, remember the abbreviation TATA (PPPS). This abbreviation stands for Pull the fire extinguisher safety pin, point the hose base to the fire source, press the trigger to spray, and swing at the fire source. Not difficult at all, right?
How to Use APAR
In addition to providing a fire extinguisher home, you should also protect your property with fire insurance. One of the best insurances to protect your building is fire insurance from Tugu Insurance!
Tugu Insurance will cover your property damaged by fire, lightning, explosions, plane crashes, and smoke. Furthermore, fire insurance from Tugu Insurance also provides additional coverage in case of storms, floods, riots, evil deeds, and riots. Protect your home from fire with insurance from Tugu Insurance! For complete information, you can visit the website of Tugu Insurance and follow Instagram @tuguinsurance!