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.