Main Types of Fire Extinguishers
Different fire extinguishers tackle certain types of fire. The classes of fire and various kinds of fire extinguishers are outlined below.
Fire classes
A – fire that involves solid constituents like as wood, textiles, and paper
B – fire that involves combustible liquids like as petrol, oils, and diesel
C – fire that involves gases
D – fire that involves metals
E – fire that involves live electrical devices
F – fire that involves cooking fats
Kinds of extinguisher
Extinguishers come in different categories. They include:
Water extinguishers
These extinguishers are effective in fighting Class A fires, a fire fuelled by materials like wood, textiles, and paper. Water extinguishers can be further categorized into four types: Water spray, water jet, water mist or fog and water with additives.
A water jet extinguisher sprays a jet of water to cool down the burning materials and prevents re-ignition. They can be used on live electrical equipment.
Water extinguishers with additives have forming chemicals making the water lose it natural surface tension. The water soaks into burning material effectively.
A water spray extinguisher uses a fine spray to offer water droplets. Non-conductive air surrounds all droplets.
A water mist/fog extinguisher applies water to the fire inform of fog or mist. The water droplets are smaller compared to those from a water spray extinguisher, making it's easy for the droplets to evaporate and absorb heat energy quickly.
Foam extinguishers
This extinguisher is used in both class B and A fires. They extinguish liquid fires like diesel or petrol and are versatile than water extinguishers since they can be used on solids like paper and wood. The extinguishers seal the liquid surface, and this prevents flammable vapour from reaching the air hence starving the fire. They are not ideal for a free-flowing liquid fire.
Powder extinguishers
These extinguishers are great multipurpose fire extinguishers since they can be used on class A, B as well as class C fires. You can use them on fires that involve electric equipment. Note that they don't cool the fire, meaning it can re-ignite. The extinguishers can create breathing issues and loss of visibility.
Carbon-dioxide extinguishers (CO2)
Carbon dioxide extinguishers are suitable for a place containing electrical equipment like server rooms or offices since they can be used on fires that involve electrical apparatus. They don't leave residue like foam extinguishers. CO2 extinguishers can also be used when a class B fire occurs. They work by smothering the fire and cutting off the air supply.