It is true that the fire extinguisher is one of the most commonly used firefighting devices. In fact, this is usually the first thing that a business owner would plan to buy and install in his place of business. Since the fire extinguisher is such a valuable tool for fire protection and safety, it is imperative that people know the different kinds of extinguishing agents that are found in the different types of fire extinguishers. Knowing this information is crucial because using the wrong kind of extinguisher can result in serious injury, spread of fire, and extensive damage.
The Different Types of Extinguishing Agents
1. Water – This is the most common extinguishing agent and has been used for countless decades. In fact, if you find a fire, your immediate reaction would be to throw water into it. Water is used in water extinguishers and water-additive (hydrospray) extinguishers. This can effectively tackle fire that belongs to the Class A fire category, which includes wood, paper, and clothing. However, this cannot be used for extinguishing others types such as those that involve electrical equipment, kitchen cooking, and flammable liquids and gases.
2. Foam – Also known as AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam), this extinguishing agent is used primarily for Class B flammable liquid fires, although it is also safe for Class A fires.
3. Powder – This agent is used for fighting off fires that are under the Class A, B, and C categories. Class C fires are those that originated from flammable gases. One of the most common types of powder extinguisher is the mono-ammonium phosphate, a dry powder chemical used for fighting the said three classes of fire. Since it is non-conductive, it is safe to use near electrical equipment. This is the typical agent used for the car fire extinguisher.
4. Dry Chemical – This type of agent, which also comes by the name of sodium bicarbonate, a non-toxic and non-conductive substance, is used for tackling Class B and C fires.
5. CO2 or Carbon Dioxide – The only agent safe to use for fires that involve electrical equipment, carbon dioxide can also effectively tackle Class B fires but cannot be used on Class A wood, paper, and fabric fires.
6. Wet Chemical- This is the only agent that can safely extinguish fires under the Class F (cooking oil, fats, and grease) category. Wet chemical fire extinguishers have become a staple in home and commercial kitchens.
7. Specialist Metal Powder – Although not as popular as water or powder, specialist metal powder is very valuable for putting out Class D metal fires such as magnesium. This is usually used in laboratories and industries that make use of these substances.
Knowing the different types of extinguishing agents and the classes of fires they can tackle is important in terms of effectiveness and safety. Not only that, it will also contribute to the convenience of clean-up after usage. Most homes would be equipped with powder extinguishers or a combination of water and C02 extinguishers. As for businesses, the choice usually depends on the nature of the company and the fire risks involved. For instance, for restaurants and food businesses, the wet chemical fire extinguisher is the best option; whilst for a business such as an electronics shop, the C02 extinguisher is the sensible choice.
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