[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR193.50-5]

[Page 379]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 193_FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart 193.50_Hand Portable Fire Extinguishers and Semiportable Fire 
             Extinguishing Systems, Arrangements and Details
 
Sec. 193.50-5  Classification.

    (a) Hand portable fire extinguishers and semiportable fire 
extinguishing systems 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 
nonconducting 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 hand 
portable fire extinguishers and sizes III, IV, and V are considered 
semiportable fire extinguishing systems 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 hand portable and semiportable fire extinguishing 
systems are set forth in Table 193.50-5(c).

                                                Table 193.50-5(c)
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                              Classification                                 Soda-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------   acid            Carbon      Dry
                                                                              and     Foam,  dioxide,  chemical,
                    Type                                  Size               water,   gals.    lbs.       lbs.
                                                                             gals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A..........................................  II...........................   2\1/2\  2\1/2\  ........  .........
B..........................................  I............................  .......  1\1/4\         4         2
B..........................................  II...........................  .......  2\1/2\        15        10
B..........................................  III..........................  .......      12        35        20
B..........................................  IV...........................  .......      20        50        30
B..........................................  V............................  .......      40       100        50
C..........................................  I............................  .......  ......         4         2
C..........................................  II...........................  .......  ......        15        10
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    (d) All hand portable fire extinguishers and semiportable fire 
extinguishing systems shall have permanently attached thereto a metallic 
nameplate giving the name of the item, the rated capacity in gallons, 
quarts, or pounds, the name and address of the person or firm for whom 
approved, and the identifying mark of the actual manufacturer.
    (e) Vaporizing liquid type fire extinguishers containing carbon 
tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or other toxic vaporizing liquids 
shall not be permitted.