Foam extinguishers are some of the best for liquid fires, such as gasoline fires, but can also be used on Class A fires involving solid combustibles like wood. A clean agent fire extinguisher is a type of gaseous fire suppression.
Stored in its liquid form, when it is sprayed and hits the air, it converts to its gas form which is non-conductive, safe for use while humans are present, leaves no residue, and has a very short atmospheric lifetime, making it eco-friendly. The gas, often composed of Halon, extinguishes fire by reducing the oxygen levels and impeding the chain reaction.
Because it is non-conductive and so clean, it is ideal for rooms or businesses filled with electrical and computer equipment. They are most commonly used for class B and C fires. Keep in mind, you may need to have different types of extinguishers in different areas of your facility. However, it is not just about having the proper equipment. If it is not maintained, or your employees are not properly trained , the right equipment could fail or be misused.
With a team of certified technicians and engineers, Koorsen is equipped to evaluate your facility for the best class of extinguisher, and to inspect, install and maintain them, as well as provide the training you and your staff need. Topics: Fire Extinguisher. Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice. The user of this article or the product s is responsible for verifying the information's accuracy from all available sources, including the product manufacturer.
Resources Home. Enter your 5 or 9 digit ZIP Code. Get a quick bundled quote » Continue a saved quote » Find an agent ». Getting started with fire extinguishers The first thing to do when choosing a fire extinguisher is to decide which rooms in your house need one.
Understanding fire extinguisher classes There are four classes of fire extinguishers — A, B, C and D — and each class can put out a different type of fire. Class A extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil Class C extinguishers are suitable for use only on electrically energized fires Class D extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals Multipurpose extinguishers can be used on different types of fires and will be labeled with more than one class, like A-B, B-C or A-B-C.
Purchasing your fire extinguisher Now that you know how many extinguishers you need and what types to get, you can head to the hardware store. Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher in order to break the tamper seal. Aim the fire extinguisher low, with the nozzle pointed at the base of the fire. Squeeze the handle of the fire extinguisher to release the extinguishing agent. Water extinguishers with additives are water extinguishers with foaming chemicals added.
The water loses its natural surface tension meaning that it can soak into the burning materials more effectively. Adding the chemicals to the water means that a smaller extinguisher can produce the same fire rating as a larger, water only, extinguisher. Water mist, or fog, extinguishers apply water in the form of mist, or fog, the droplets are much smaller than those from the water spray extinguisher.
The smaller the droplet, the larger its surface area in relation to its size, the quicker the droplet evaporates which absorbs the heat energy faster. The downside is the smaller the droplet the less it weighs and therefore the less powerful the cloud of water. All water extinguishers have a red label. Foam extinguishers Foam fire extinguishers can be used on Class A and B fires.
Foam extinguishers have a cream label. Powder extinguishers Powder extinguishers are a good multi-purpose fire extinguisher because they can be used on Class A, B and C fires. Powder extinguishers have a blue label.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers CO2 CO2 extinguishers are ideal for places with a lot of electrical equipment such as offices or server rooms because they are safe to use on fires involving electrical apparatus. Like water extinguishers, they can be used on class A fires. Foam extinguishers are also used on class B fires. These are fires involving liquids, like petrol and paints.
Dry powder fire extinguishers are red with a blue label. Like foam, the non-combustible powder smothers the fire. Unlike foam extinguishers, this type of extinguisher doesn't contain water so can be used on live electrical equipment. Powder extinguishers can be used on class B liquid , class C gases , and class E or electrical fires. They also have some limited use on class A fires.
While a useful multi-purpose extinguisher, power does have some downsides. Powder extinguishers are very messy when used. The use of this extinguisher can fill the air with powder causing visibility issues, and inhalation of powder.
And, while it can be used on electrical equipment, power will enter equipment and can cause damage. Carbon dioxide CO2 extinguishers are red with a black label.
You may also notice the nozzle on this type of extinguisher is a large cone shape. The carbon dioxide in this type of extinguisher replaces the oxygen in the air surrounding the fire, preventing combustion. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are best used for electric E fires. They don't contain water and won't damage surrounding equipment like powder extinguishers. They can also be used on small class B liquid fires, but cooling effects on the liquid are limited and the fire may re-ignite after it has been extinguished.
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are red with a yellow label. It works by making chemical changes to burning oils, making them non-combustible. This type of fire extinguisher was specifically designed to be used on cooking oils and fats.
In fact, it's the main extinguisher used for class F cooking fats and oils fires. You should find wet chemical extinguishers and their yellow labels in kitchens with deep fat fryers. It's not much use on other types of fires, although some manufacturers versions are suitable for class A fires.
People who are expected to use fire extinguishers need to receive instruction and training on selection and use of the equipment provided.
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