Table of Contents
What is Fire Extinguisher?
Fire extinguisher is a portable device which is used to stop emergency fire. It can only control small fire. Fire extinguisher is filled with dry or wet chemical.
Fire extinguisher is not intended for use in uncontrolled fires such as a fire that reaches the ceiling endangers occupants or requires firefighter equipment, personnel, resources and/or expertise.
Fire extinguishers usually consist of a movable cylindrical pressure vessel containing a dispensable substance to extinguish the fire. There are also fire extinguishers made with non-cylindrical pressure vessels, but these are much less common. It mainly has two types of fire extinguishers. Storage pressure and working cartridge.
For pressurized storage devices, the propellant is stored in the same chamber as the extinguishant itself. Depending on the agent used, different propellants are used. Powder extinguishers usually use nitrogen. Water and foam extinguishers typically use air. Cumulative extinguishers are the most common, canister extinguishers in which the propellant is contained in a separate container. This type is less common and is mainly used in above-average locations such as industrial facilities. They have the advantage of being easy and quick to refill, allowing the operator to unload, refill and put out the fire again in a reasonable time. Unlike pressurized types, these extinguishers use compressed carbon dioxide instead of nitrogen, while cryogenic types use a nitrogen container.
Cartridge fire extinguishers are available in dry chemical and dry powder forms in the United States and the country, wetting agents, foams, dry chemical powders (Types ABC and B.C.), and dry powders (Type D) on all over the world.
Fire extinguishers are further divided into portable fire extinguishers and trolley mounted fire extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers weigh between 0.5 and 14 kg and can be easily carried by hand. Trolley-mounted units typically weigh more than 23 kg m. These wheel models are most commonly found on construction sites, runways, heliports, docks and marinas.
Types of Fire Extinguisher
1. Class A Fire Extinguisher
Class A fire extinguishers extinguish fires in common combustible materials including wood, cloth, rubber, paper, and many plastic materials.
2. Class B fire Extinguisher
Class B fire extinguishers are intended for use with flammable liquids such as grease, gasoline, solvents, paints, alcohol, oils, and similar substances.
3. Class C Fire Extinguisher
Class C fire extinguishers are only suitable for use on fires involving electrical equipment.
4. Class D Fire Extinguishers
Class D fire extinguishers are designed for use with combustible metallic substances such as potassium and sodium.
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
After purchase, read the instructions on your fire extinguisher carefully to be prepared should you ever need to extinguish it. Fire extinguishers are usually relatively easy to use in the event of a fire. Most fire extinguishers work with his P.A.S.S. technology:
- P means Pull the fire pin to break the tamper-evident seal.
- A means Aim the nozzle at the source of the fire and point the fire extinguisher low.
- S means Squeeze the handle of the fire extinguisher and release the extinguishing agent.
- S means Sweep the nozzle from side to side toward the source of the fire until the fire is extinguished.
The PASS method works with most fire extinguishers encountered, but cartridge fire extinguishers such as those found in some industrial environments require additional steps. These devices require the external print cartridge to be activated first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kitchen Fire Extinguisher?
Class K fire extinguisher is known as kitchen fire extinguisher. This type of extinguisher comes under the category of class B. It is used to stop fire due to flammable liquids such as grease, gasoline, solvents, paints, alcohol, oils, and other similar substances.