Fire Extinguishers

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Three Ways To Extinguish A Fire • Starvation - Removal of Fuel.

• Smothering - Removal of Oxygen.

• Cooling - Removal of Heat.

• Remove any one of the three.

• Components and fire cannot start or be sustained.

Fire Classification • Class A: SOLIDS such as paper, wood, plastic etc.

• Class B: FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS such as paraffin, petrol, oil etc.

• Class C: FLAMMABLE GASES such as propane, butane, methane etc.

• Class D: METALS such as aluminium, magnesium, titanium etc.

• Class E: Electrical fires are fires involving potentially energized electrical equipment.

• Class F:Cooking OIL & FAT etc.

Classification of Fire • CLASS A- Solids. Includes materials such as wood, plastic, and paper.

• CLASS B- Flammable Liquids. Examples: Oil, Paraffin, Petrol.

• CLASS C- Flammable Gases. Examples: Methane, Butane, Propane.

• CLASS D- Metals. Examples: Magnesium, Titanium, Aluminum.

• CLASS E- Electrical fires.

• CLASS F- Cooking oil and fat. Example: Grease fires.

Types of Fire Extinguishers Water: • 6 or 9 Litre size • Suitable for Class A Fires.

• Not for use on flammable liquids.

• Not to be used near to live electrical apparatus.

• Discharge time, approximately 60 seconds.

• Weighs approximately 15 kilos.

Types of Fire Extinguishers Foam: • Multi-Purpose Foam Spray • 9 Litres, 6 Litres or 2 Litres.

• Ideal for burning solids and hydrocarbon liquids.

• Can be rated for use on live electrical equipment.

Types of Fire Extinguishers Dry Powder: • 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 6kg, and 9kg capacities.

• ABC powder for burning solids, burning liquids and if specially trained, burning gases.

• Could be harmful in a confined space, and will contaminate prepared foods, and delicate electronic equipment.

• Little cooling effect.

Types of Fire Extinguishers SPECIAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: • ‘Fry Fighter’.

• For Class F Fires (overheated cooking oils/ fats).

• ‘Unique’ Wet Chemical’ formulation to saponification the burning fat.

Types of Fire Extinguishers Carbon Dioxide (CO2): • Clean non conductive agent.

• Ideal for fires involving live electrical apparatus.

• Noisy in operation.

• Some parts of the extinguisher will become very cold.

• Little to no cooling effect.

Other Fire Fighting Equipment • Hose - Reels • Fire Blankets

Remember!

Extinguishers are only for dealing with small fires.

DO NOT CONTINUE TO FIGHT A FIRE IF:

• It is dangerous to do so.

• There is a possibility that your escape route may be cut off by the fire or smoke.

• The fire continues to grow in spite of your efforts.

• There are gas cylinders threatened by a fire.

• If you have to withdraw, close windows and doors behind you whenever possible.

• Do NOT use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire involving burning gas. Turn off the gas supply if it is safe to do so, or leave such fires to the fire brigade.