A fire extinguisher contain a pressurized mixture designed to suppress and control fires effectively. The contents vary based on the type of extinguisher, each formulated to combat specific fire classes. Water and foam extinguishers primarily contains water or water-based solutions, suitable for extinguishing Class A fires involving ordinary combustibles. Dry chemical extinguishers are filled with powder or foam, effective for Class A, B, and C fires. CO2 extinguishers contain carbon dioxide gas, ideal for electrical fires (Class C) without leaving residue. Halon and clean agent extinguishers use specialized gases, suitable for sensitive equipment and valuable assets, leaving no residue upon discharge. Understanding the contents of a fire extinguisher is crucial for selecting the right type for specific fire risks, ensuring a swift and effective response to emergencies and contributing to an overall comprehensive fire safety plan.
What are the Ingredients Used in Fire Extinguishers?
Friday, 10 July 2020
When a fire explodes, homeowners or business experts have little time to think beyond putting it out. So it’s time to think about the type of fires you are most likely to deal with especially when you are going to select fire extinguishers. A Fire extinguisher is an essential device safeguarding the lives of the masses and properties with utmost excellence! This active fire protection device is made in such a way to put out the fire by cooling the burning material.
Fire extinguishers surpass the oxygen flames and interfere with the chemical reactions occurring in the flame, effectively. Fire Extinguishers are manufactured and labeled according to which type of fire they put out as each class of fire is extinguished by different agents. But do you know what makes it so distinctive?
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
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Types of Chemicals Using in Fire Extinguishers
Wednesday, 08 January 2020
One of the common questions that almost all people ask about the types of chemicals used in fire extinguishers or what chemicals are used in fire extinguishers? The chemical that a fire extinguisher contains depends on the purpose for which it is used. The most common chemical is Sodium Bicarbonate used in the fire extinguisher, and by heating up, it gives carbon dioxide. But today, Potassium Bicarbonate is widely used in fire extinguishers due to its effectiveness as compared to Sodium Bicarbonate.
As we stated that fire extinguisher contains the chemicals depending on its application areas, hence for an example, handheld extinguishers (use in garages and kitchens) contain chemicals such as pressurized carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, which are useful in extinguishing the fire. Other types of extinguishers (dry powder fire extinguisher) contain a powder such as potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3), liquid water, and an evaporating fluorocarbon (most commonly used chemical is the bromochlorodifluoromethane (CF2ClBr) referred to as halon 2111) to extinguish the fire.
Fire extinguishers are built in such a way to use in the buildings or other structures to protect. Water sprinklers in contemporary times are the most common systems and using widely due to their economical price, simple to use, and safe from any health hazard. However, the scope of their use is restricted in a fuel storage system, server rooms, and other electrical equipment fitted areas. You cannot use water as a fire-extinguishing agent in places stuffed with electrical equipment. In this case, a firefighting gas like CO2 is an appropriate chemical used to eliminate fire in a confined space. The important thing regarding the CO2 agent is that it works well to put out the fire but, its heavy concentration can be harmful in a place crowded with people.
Nowadays, several fire extinguishers use by utilizing an extensive range of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). Such types of extinguishers contain chlorine or bromine atoms, hence they have different effectiveness, especially when it comes to halting the progression of a chain combustion reaction. The extinguishers using HFC chemicals work in due resemblance to CO2 or N2 by absorbing heat and cutting out the supply of oxygen. Even though, various companies are promoting HFCs such as CHF3, C2HF5, and C3HF7 for a variety of applications. In addition to this, some other types of fire extinguishers use a chemical like potassium acetate based agent, discharged from the extinguisher as a fine mist that forms a soapy foam that suppresses vapors, and steams and prevent fire. Mono Ammonium Phosphate is a dry chemical powder or agent used in class A, B, and C types of fire extinguishers. This particular chemical is non-conductive but corrosive, and it can clean up after extinguishing the fire. Sodium bicarbonate (nontoxic, noncorrosive and does not require cleanup on usage) is another kind of dry chemical and used for class B and class C fires.
Final Say
We hope this article has helped to let you know about different types of chemicals, which are used in extinguishers, and of course, as per their application areas.
Know the fire extinguisher chemicals and stay safe from any fire hazard!
- Published in Fire Extinguisher