A Guide On Fire Extinguishers

A fire extinguisher plays a critical role in protecting people, property and the environment from damage resulting from fire outbreaks. The extinguisher should be within a reachable distance, and you must avail one in specific areas where fire standards demand. This piece discusses different types of fire extinguishers and recommends the best options for different settings. 

Water Fire Extinguisher

This class of fire extinguisher is easy to notice, with the water label on the side. The best places to use water fire extinguishers are paper, fabric and wood fires. Therefore, you can stock several water fire extinguishers in warehouses, offices, retail premises, colleges, schools, hotels and hospitals. Still, ensure you place the fire extinguisher near the materials mentioned earlier.

Water fire extinguishers function by cooling the surface and extinguishing the fire. Materials such as paper, fabrics and wood absorb water into their pockets. The water can thereby penetrate the centre of the fire with ease. Therefore, solid combustibles are appropriate targets for such a fire extinguisher. However, as you will discover here, you must never use a water fire extinguisher on any other surface. 

Powder Fire Extinguisher

This type of fire extinguisher is useful when wood, paper and fabric catch fire, but its usefulness extends to items such as gases, liquids and electrical components. Some of the flammable liquids include paint, petrol and diesel. Combustible gases such as methane or butane require dry powder fire extinguishers when a fire breaks. Therefore, this extinguisher is essential for places with such materials. 

The primary role of the powder is to interrupt the combustion process of the fire. Powder fire extinguishers have a dry chemical that coats the burning item (fuel) with a dust layer. This coating blocks oxygen in the air and prevents it from reacting with the fuel and supporting the fire. Therefore, powder fire extinguishers are highly effective and result in minimal damage to the surroundings. 

Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers

Both flammable liquids and electric fires require CO2 fire extinguishers when they ignite. Therefore, you may stock up on this version in your factory, gas station and other areas. However, never use this fire extinguisher in small rooms since carbon dioxide is lethal at high concentrations. 

The carbon dioxide gas drains the oxygen and ensures the combusting process ceases immediately. Carbon dioxide is also cold as it leaves the hose. This cooling effect is essential in extinguishing a fire. 

The type of fire extinguisher you pick depends on the fire risks you anticipate in your home or commercial building. Major types include water, dry chemical and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.  

For more information about fire extinguishers, contact a local company.