Which types of fire extinguishers does Strike First make and what are they used for?

Strike First manufactures portable fire extinguishers across seven agent categories — ABC dry chemical, BC dry chemical, CO2, water, water mist, wet chemical, and automatic heat-actuated dry chemical — plus mounting brackets and all-weather plastic cabinets. The right choice depends on the class of fire you expect: ABC dry chemical is the general-purpose option for mixed-risk buildings, CO2 and BC dry chemical suit electrical and flammable-liquid areas, water and water mist cover ordinary combustibles, wet chemical is built for kitchen grease, and automatic heat-actuated units are for spaces where no one will be standing by to use one.

The extinguisher types and where each fits

ABC dry chemical — multi-purpose

The broadest coverage in the line. ABC dry chemical is the default pick for offices, warehouses, schools, and residential buildings where you can't predict whether a fire will involve ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, or energized electrical equipment. Available in 2 lb, 2.5 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 20 lb, and 30 lb sizes, so you can match capacity to the size of the space and the expected hazard level.

BC dry chemical — flammable liquids and electrical

Covers flammable liquid and energized electrical fires but not ordinary combustibles like paper or wood. Choose this when the risk is concentrated — a fuel storage area, a workshop with solvents, or equipment rooms — rather than a general-purpose space. Sizes run 2.75 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, and 20 lb.

CO2 carbon dioxide — clean agent for electrical and liquid fires

CO2 leaves no residue, which makes it the practical choice around sensitive electronics, server rooms, and lab equipment where cleanup after a dry chemical discharge would be a problem. It handles flammable liquid and energized electrical fires. Offered in 5 lb, 10 lb, 15 lb, and 20 lb.

Water and water mist — ordinary combustibles

Both are aimed at Class A fires (wood, paper, cloth, and similar materials). Water comes in a 2.4 Gal. (9L) unit; water mist is also offered at 2.4 Gal. (9L). Water mist uses less water and produces less water damage, which matters in spaces where runoff is a concern.

Wet chemical — kitchen grease fires

A 6L wet chemical extinguisher is the type designed for cooking oil and grease fires in commercial kitchens. If your risk is a deep fryer or a range hood, this is the category to look at rather than a dry chemical unit.

Automatic heat-actuated dry chemical — unattended spaces

These discharge on their own when a heat threshold is reached, so they suit enclosed or unoccupied areas — think engine compartments, small mechanical rooms, or storage spaces where no one is present to grab a manual extinguisher. Available in 2.5 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, and 20 lb.

Quick comparison

Supporting hardware

• Brackets — UP2, UP2-DB, UB5, UB5-DB, UP5HD, UP10-MD, HDVB-1 through HDVB-4, plus an extinguisher cart for moving units around a site.
• All-weather plastic cabinets — in 5 lb, 10 lb, and 20 lb sizes, for outdoor or exposed installations.

How to decide

1. Identify the fire class you're most likely to face (ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, electrical, or cooking oil).
2. If more than one class is plausible, ABC dry chemical covers the widest range.
3. If residue or cleanup is a concern, lean toward CO2.
4. If the space is normally empty, look at automatic heat-actuated units.
5. Match the size to the room — larger spaces and higher hazard loads call for larger capacities.
6. Add a bracket or cabinet if the unit will be wall-mounted or exposed to weather.

Strike First states its extinguishers are designed and manufactured in North America and backed by warranties of up to six years depending on model and type. The company has been operating since 1908 and is based in Scarborough, Ontario. For product sheets, SDS documents, and manuals, the site's Resources section is the place to look before finalizing a selection.