Fire extinguisher is a device, which is used to fight fire. You must have noticed this small, red cylinder in a lot of buildings, but there is a chance that you have never really thought about the meaning of it. Fire extinguisher is really small and easy device at first sight, but in emergency it might be very valuable. Realizing the meaning of fire extinguisher, installing it and then proper knowledge of how to use it may save any kind of building from disastrous fires. Fire is always unexpected so every person must have the knowledge about what fire extinguisher is and how to use it.
What must we know about fire extinguishers?
How to choose the right fire extinguisher
Three elements are needed to come together to create fire. This three elements are: oxygen, fuel and heat.
If you remove one of these elements, fire will not have enough energy anymore and it will extinguish. That’s exactly the idea of operating fire extinguishers, different fire extinguishers act differently and remove one or more different elements from fire.
Even though all the fires consist of these three elements, there are different types of fire according to different fuels. According to European Norms Fires are classified as A, B, C, D and F class fires.
For the different types of fire there are different types of fire extinguishers:
1. Water and Foam
Water and Foam fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. Foam agents also separate the oxygen element from the other elements. Water extinguishers are for Class A fires only - they should not be used on Class B or C fires. The discharge stream could spread the flammable liquid in a Class B fire or could create a shock hazard on a Class C fire.
2. Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire by taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle and also be removing the heat with a very cold discharge. Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B & C fires. They are usually ineffective on Class A fires.
3. Dry Chemical
Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
Today's most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires. Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished succesfully.
4. Wet Chemical
Wet Chemical is a new agent that extinguishes the fire by removing the heat of the fire triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier between the oxygen and fuel elements. Wet chemical of Class K extinguishers were developed for modern, high efficiency deep fat fryers in commercial cooking operations. Some may also be used on Class A fires in commercial kitchens.
5. Clean Agent
Halogenated or Clean Agent extinguishers include the halon agents as well as the newer and less ozone depleting halocarbon agents. They extinguish the fire by interrupting the chemical reaction and/or removing heat from the fire triangle. Clean agent extinguishers are effective on Class A, B and C fires. Smaller sized handheld extinguishers are not large enough to obtain a 1A rating and may carry only a Class B and C rating.
6. Dry Powder
Dry Powder extinguishers are similar to dry chemical except that they extinguish the fire by separating the fuel from the oxygen element or by removing the heat element of the fire triangle. However, dry powder extinguishers are for Class D or combustible metal fires, only. They are ineffective on all other classes of fires.
7. Water Mist
Water Mist extinguishers are a recent development that extinguish the fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. They are an alternative to the clean agent extinguishers where contamination is a concern. Water mist extinguishers are primarily for Class A fires, although they are safe for use on Class C fires as well.
When purchasing fire extinguishers for different kind of buildings, it is very important to take type of the extinguisher into consideration, because usage of badly chose fire extinguisher might be worse than not using it at all.
Where are fire extinguishers installed?
Fire extinguishers are usually placed in a place that are easily accessible, in most cases fire extinguishers are placed in the corridors and in the staircase, where a lot of people move. It should be noted that the fire extinguisher is only a small barrier to prevent the spread of fire. The use of fire extinguishers is useless and it is dangerous for life when the fire is already strong and it covers the room.
How to take care of fire extinguishers?
Fire extinguishers should be inspected regularly, checked at least once a month. Fire extinguishers should meet three requirments:
1. Is the extinguisher charged? Pressure should always be in the recommended area, needle need to be on the green, not too high not too low.
2. Are all extinguishers mounted correctly? Top of the extinguisher should never be mounted higher than 150 cm. and bottom of the extinguisher should be at least 10 cms from the ground.
3. The fire extinguisher should be easily accessible, nothing should be placed in front of it, it should not be hidden behind door or anything else. It should also be easy to remove. All of the rules are very important because you cannot afford to lose even second during fire.
Also all the information about the fire extinguisher is written on the label.
How to use fire extinguisher?
If possible, position yourself with your back to an unobstructed exit so that you can get out quickly if you need to. The discharge range for extinguishers can run from 6-20 feet (know your extinguisher’s range beforehand), and you want to be far enough away to not be in danger of being burned, and close enough that the discharge will be effective.
Pull the pin.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Hitting the tops of the flame with the extinguisher won’t be effective. You got to smother the sucker at its base.
Squeeze the trigger. In a controlled manner, squeeze the trigger to release the agent.
Sweep from side to side. Sweep the nozzle from side to side until the fire is put out. Keep aiming at the base while you do so. Most extinguishers will give you about 10-20 seconds of discharge time.
