[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR145.05]

[Page 154]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 145--FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 145.05  Classification of fire extinguishers.

    (a) Portable and semi-portable extinguishers shall be classified by 
a combination letter and number symbol. The letter indicating the type 
of fire which the unit could be expected to extinguish, and the number 
indicating the relative size of the unit.
    (b) The types of fire will be designated as follows:
    (1) ``A'' for fires in ordinary combustible materials where the 
quenching and cooling effects of quantities of water, or solutions 
containing large percentages of water, are of first importance.
    (2) ``B'' for fires in flammable liquids, greases, etc., where a 
blanketing effect is essential.
    (3) ``C'' for fires in electrical equipment where the use of a non-
conducting extinguishing agent is of first importance.
    (c) The number designations for size will start with ``I'' for the 
smallest to ``V'' for the largest. Sizes I and II are considered 
portable extinguishers. Sizes III, IV and V are considered semi-portable 
extinguishers which shall be fitted with suitable hose and nozzle or 
other practicable means so that all portions of the space concerned may 
be covered. Examples of size graduations for some of the typical 
portable and semi-portable extinguishers are set forth in Table 
145.05(c).

                            Table 145.05(c)--Portable and Semiportable Extinguishers
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                              Classification                                Soda-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------   acid             Carbon      Dry
                                                                             and     Foam,   dioxide,  chemical,
                   Type                                  Size               water,  gallons   pounds     pounds
                                                                           gallons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.........................................  II...........................   2\1/2\   2\1/2\  ........  .........
B.........................................  II...........................  .......   2\1/2\        15        10
C.........................................  II...........................  .......  .......        15        10
B.........................................  V............................  .......       40       100        50
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    (d) All portable and semi-portable extinguishers shall have 
permanently attached thereto a durable name plate giving the name of the 
item, the rated capacity in gallons or pounds, the name and address of 
the person or firm for whom approved, and the identifying mark of the 
actual manufacturer.

[CGFR 56-4, 21 FR 903, Feb. 9, 1956, as amended by CGFR 58-28, 23 FR 
6880, Sept. 6, 1958]