What is a Fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher is portable fire safety equipment or fire protection equipment used for extinguishing fires. This device consists of a cylinder with a directional nozzle, used to direct a spray of water, chemically generated foam, inert gas, or fine powder onto the fire at high pressure to put out and control even the small fires. Fire extinguishers (firefighting equipment) are metal cylinders or containers that contain different chemicals, depending on the application, as nitrogen is typically used with dry chemical extinguishers, and the air gets used with water and foam extinguishers.
Types of Fire extinguishers and their uses as per Classes of Fire
There are mainly five different types of fire extinguishers (fire extinguisher types) such as Water, Foam, Dry Powder, CO2, and Wet Chemical available to extinguish the fire. However, there is not any single extinguisher type that can work for all classes of fire.
DRY POWDER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Dry powder-type fire extinguishers are also known as ABC fire extinguishers because they are used for class A, B, and C fire risks. ABC powder extinguishers use on some electrical fires. However, they are not perfect for use in enclosed spaces. Dry chemical powder extinguishers are used to cool down the fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the source of oxygen.
Uses of dry powder / ABC type fire extinguishers:
- Businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes
- Premises where welding and flame cutting works takes place
- Premises with large, commercial boiler rooms
- Garage forecourts
- Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) dispensing plants
WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Water type fire extinguishers are the most common fire extinguisher used for class A fire risk. The water has a cooling effect on the material or fuel, which is capable of extinguishing the fire. These two categories of extinguishers, i.e., water spray and water mist. Water spray extinguishers are fitted out with a spray nozzle that means a greater surface area can be covered more quickly and put out the fire more rapidly. Water mist extinguishers consist of different types of nozzles, which release microscopic water particles to create a wall of mist between the fire and the person using the extinguisher, reducing the feeling of heat. Moreover, it is recommended to locate water type extinguishers at the exit point of every floor where a Class A fire risk can be identified.
Uses of water / A type extinguishers:
- Houses and other buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
- Offices
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Residential properties
- Warehouses
FOAM FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Foam type fire extinguishers are one of the popular types of fire extinguishers and used for Class B fire hazard or risk. Foam fire extinguisher also works on Class A fires as they are water-based. Like the water extinguishers, mechanical foam extinguishers also have a cooling effect on the fuel, and the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel for extinguishing the fire. It is advisable to locate the foam extinguisher at the exits on a floor where a Class A or Class B fire risks can recognize.
Uses of foam / Type B extinguishers:
- Residential properties
- Schools
- Offices
- Hospitals
- Warehouses
- Buildings where flammable liquids are stored
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Carbon dioxide type fire extinguishers are also called CO2 extinguishers used for electrical fire risks. They are also used to put out Class B fires (flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum). Carbon dioxide or water CO2 type extinguishers work in such a way to suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn. It is recommended to place the carbon dioxide fire extinguishers near to the source of the fire exits and also in working vehicles.
Uses of carbon dioxide / CO2 type extinguishers:
- Offices
- Kitchens
- Construction sites
- Computer server rooms
WET CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Wet chemical type extinguishers are designed and used for Class F or Class K fire risks. This a particular type of extinguisher can also use on Class A fires (although it is more usual to have a foam or water extinguisher for this type of fire risk). Wet chemical fire extinguishers create a layer of foam (has a cooling effect) on the surface of the burning cooking oil or fat, preventing oxygen from fueling the fire any further.
Uses of wet chemical / K type/kitchen fire extinguisher:
- Commercial kitchens
- Canteens
- Hospital cooking areas, etc.
What is Fire and its Classes?
Fire is a chemical reaction that needs fuel, oxygen, and heat in order to burn. The chemical reaction of fire is called combustion, which happens when fuel reacts with oxygen to release heat energy. Either the combustion can slow or fast but it all depends on the volume of oxygen available. Even the combustion outcomes in a flame are very fast and called it as burning. The flames or fires occur when small particles of the combustible material or fuel (wood, gasoline, flammable oil, electrical equipment, etc.) are heated to the point of burning and shot upward.
There are several yet different classes of fire-based primarily on the fuel source. Here is a list of different classifications of fire.
Class A – fires connecting solid materials such as wood, fabric, paper or textiles, trash, and plastics
Class B – fires connecting flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, flammable oils, and certain types of paint
Class C – fires connecting gases and electrical components
Class D – fires connecting combustible metals
Class E – fires connecting live electrical apparatus (Technically ‘Class E’ doesn’t exit)
Class F or Type K – fire connecting cooking oils such as in deep-fat fryers; liquid cooking materials such as greases, cooking oils, vegetable fat, and animal fat.
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