What is the test number designated for fire extinguishers?

The designation for fire extinguishers is linked to the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) testing standards, specifically the UL300 standard. This standard focuses on the performance and safety of fire extinguishers intended for use on kitchen fires involving cooking oils and fats, which are often challenging to extinguish with standard fire-fighting methods. Understanding this standard is essential since it governs the requirements for testing and classifying extinguishers that handle flaming fires resulting from high-temperature cooking oils, a common hazard in commercial kitchens.

By ensuring compliance with UL300, manufacturers guarantee that their fire extinguishers can effectively and safely combat kitchen-related fire hazards, which is crucial for both fire safety experts and facility operators to consider during fire inspections and safety assessments.