A fire extinguisher is a very important device that you must have at home. In accordance with safety rules and measures, many companies are also equipped with this important device. But what is a fire extinguisher? What is it used for? What are the different types of extinguishers that exist? What type of fire extinguisher for what type of fire?
A fire extinguisher, what is it?
A fire extinguisher is a device that can quickly extinguish or control a fire. It is a red-colored device composed of a container or pressurized cylinder, an extinguishing agent, and a propellant. To bring a fire under control, the extinguishing agent is thrown onto the source of the fire using the propellant.
It is a very practical device for controlling the start of a fire. But it is not effective against large fires because it contains a limited amount of extinguishing agent. To bring the fire under control quickly enough and prevent it from getting out of control, it is recommended to have more than one fire extinguisher. Contact a professional for all your fire extinguisher needs.
The different types of fire extinguishers
There are two main types of extinguishers, namely: permanent pressure extinguishers and auxiliary pressure extinguishers.
Permanent pressure extinguishers
They are under constant pressure. This facilitates the propulsion of the extinguishing agent in the event of a fire. The extinguishing agent comes out as soon as the safety pin is pulled out and the handle of the device is pressed.
Auxiliary pressure extinguishers
Unlike other extinguishers, they are not constantly under pressure. It is at the time of use that they must be pressurized by releasing the gas contained in the cartridge of the device. These different types of extinguishers are essential for fire safety and are available in several models, namely:
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Mobile fire extinguishers
- Fixed fire extinguishers.
What type of fire extinguisher for what type of fire?
There are several types of fire extinguishers classified according to the extinguishing agents. To perfectly and quickly control fire, it is very important to use an extinguisher that is perfectly suited to the type of fire you want to control.
Water extinguishers
They are very effective against class A and B fires, i.e., fires caused by the following fuels:
- Wood
- Paper
- Fabric
- Cardboard
- Plastic
- Flammable liquids or liquefied solids.
Anyone who wants to expand their home should provide places for fire extinguishers. The extinguishing agent used here is water. It is mixed with certain chemical substances for more efficiency.
Gas extinguishers
The extinguishing agent used here is carbon dioxide (CO2). They are very effective against Class B fires and electrical fires. They are very practical for fires of electrical origin because they do not cause any damage to the electrical circuit. Class B fires are those caused by flammable liquids or solids.
Foam fire extinguishers
They work almost the same way as water extinguishers. They are recommended for class A and B fires. The extinguishing agent here is water mixed with chemicals. But it is propelled, in this case, in the form of foam. They are suitable for surfaces with perfect ventilation.
Powder extinguishers
There are two types of powder extinguishers, namely:
- The fire extinguisher for ABC
- The special powder extinguisher
The ABC powder extinguisher is used against many types of fires. They are very effective against class A, B, and C fires. He specializes in the control of class D fires. They are used in particular in an industrial environment. Class D fires are caused by metals. In these industrial environments, it is important to renew the air at times.
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