Fire protection is an important issue for any house and any commercial premise. Among all the means of fire protection, the fire extinguisher is considered to be one of the most important tools. Learning the various fire extinguishers, how to use them, and the categories of fires that those extinguishers are suitable to douse can go a long way in shaping a fire fighting plan. This blogpost will look at different classifications of fire extinguishers, their types and how to use them appropriately.
Understanding Fire Classes
Let me therefore first share an overview of the classes of a fire before going into the types of fire extinguishers. Fires are classified into several categories based on the materials that fuel them:
Class A: Fires which mainly originate from ordinary combustible materials including; woods, papers and clothes.
Class B: Fire resulting from the use of highly inflammatory fluid such as gases, petrol, oil and grease.
Class C: House fires originating from electrical equipment including; wiring, appliances and outlets.
Class D: Combustible metal fires includes magnesium as well as titanium among other flammable metals.
Class K: Instant deep fat fires that start from using oils and fats especially in commercial production areas.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
1. The types of equipment include water fire extinguishers or Class A fire extinguishers.
Water fire extinguishers are mainly used on Class A fires. They work ‘‘by evaporation and subsequent cooling of the burning material thus extinguishing the fire.’’ These extinguishers should not be employed on a Class ‘B’ or ‘C’ fire because they can actually extend the fire or make formation of electricity.
2. Foam fire fusillade fog (A/B fusillade fog).
Foam extinguishers are suitable for class A and B fires only popular types of extinguishers are foam. They operate through the development of foam layer that puts out the fire and isolates the fire from oxygen source of the burning material. These are Classical used on flammable liquids and ordinary combustible materials, and therefore can be used in many places.
4. The Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguishers is applicable in Class B & C fires.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers work on class B& C fires. They operate in that they displace oxygen and cool the burning material The functions are to displace oxygen and to cool the burning material. These extinguishers are mainly recommended for use in laboratory and kitchen areas because of the flammable substances that are likely to be in a commercial kitchen.
5. Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers, also referred to as Class K fire extinguishers, have been described above.
Wet chemical extinguishers are the only kind that is intended for Class K fires and therefore a necessity in commercial kitchens. They operate by creating a layer of foam floating on the burning oil and therefore excludes re-ignition.
6. Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers apply to Class B and C fires only.
Clean agent extinguishers include halon and halotron and are used on Class B and C fires. They are electrically insulating and do not produce any unwanted layer of deposit and hence well suited for use in areas such as computer rooms and server rooms.
The proper use of fire extinguishers:
Proper usage of fire extinguishers has a critical role between a small fire outbreak and a massive fire disaster. Here’s the recommended approach:
P.A.S.S. Method:
Squeeze the handle of the extinguisher.
Always point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
It employs a lever which, when squeezed, will release the extinguishing agent inside.
Swirl the nozzle in circular fashion, as you continue to point it at the fire, until it goes out.
Assess the Situation: The first thing to consider before using a fire extinguisher is to see whether or not you can control the fire and have an evacuation route. If the fire is large or rapidly increasing in size, leave the building and go to the nearest exit, report the event to the fire station.
Maintenance: Always inspect such extinguishers to see that they are charged and in their proper working condition. Generally adhere to all published guides in terms of mechanical inspections as well as servicing from the local fire department or the provider of the fire protection system.
Know How to Install Fire Safety Equipment In Your Existing Fire Fighting System
In addition to fire extinguishers, a comprehensive fire protection system includes several other components:
Fire Alarm System: Used for purposes of detecting fires early enough, a fire alarm assists occupants in the structural evacuation. Some of these reliability features include checking and overhauling of the systems frequently.
Fire Sprinkler System: A fire sprinkler system puts out or limits fires, greatly decreasing harm and need for fire extinguishers depending on situations.
Need for Profession Assistance
Working with professional fire safety consultants guarantees that your fire protection systems meet your needs. It can also help the professionals evaluate risks, and advise on which fire safety equipment to use, as well as give training in how to use fire extinguishers and other fire systems.
Conclusion
Fire extinguishers are a mechanism of implementing an effective fire fighting technique or plan. It ascertains that people, as well as companies, can react properly regarding the fire occurrence through knowledge of the types and objectives of extinguishers. They can be combined with other fire fighting equipment like fire alarm systems and fire sprinkler systems so as to come up with a common fire fighting approach that can improve on the safety of everyone in the building.
For more information on fire safety equipment and systems, visit:
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/index.html
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/index.html
