Water Fire Extinguisher

Fire is a resource that can be used as a source of light and heat for cooking and warmth. It is also used to change materials from one state to another like in metal forging. This is a dangerous commodity when it gets out of control. Fire extinguishers have been developed to deal with an out of control blaze. There are different types of fire extinguishers which are used to treat different fire events. A combustion event can be generally defined by the fuel which is feeding it and the different classes of fire generally bear this out.

A fire involving a regular material such as wood, cloth, rubber and some plastics is defined as a Class A fire. One whose is fuel is any type of flammable liquid or gas such as oil, gasoline or propane is considered a Class B blaze. A Class C fire can have the same elements as the first two but also involves energized electrical equipment. There are three general types of fire extinguishers based on the material used, Air Pressurized Water Extingusher, Dry Chemical Extinguisher and Carbon Dioxide Extinsguisher.

Air Pressurized Water extinguishers can be found just about anywhere. The name describes its contents and method of delivery perfectly. They are used expressly on Class A fires and should never be used on oil or gas fires as the ignited liquid can be spread. These extinguishers should not be used near electrical appliances that are still plugged in as this can lead to electrocution or further damage. They excel with Class A fires being very effective for these types of blazes.

This Dry Chemical fire extinguisher is very effective for all fire classes but tends to leave a corrosive residue behind which must be washed off immediately. Foam extinguishers come in two main categories: The BC which is filled with sodium or potassium bicarbonate and the ABC which is more general purpose and contains monoammonium phosphate. The ABC type leaves a yellow residue and should not be used on electronics if possible as this residue is hard to get rid of. The BC leaves a residue as well which is corrosive if left on surfaces too long.

The older versions of Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers contained two chemicals which when mixed would produce large amounts of CO2. Modern ones use CO2 in the same way effectively killing the fires oxygen source. They are not recommended for Class A fires, as the high pressure may spread the fire’s fuel. These extinguishers are the number one choice for electrical equipment as they leave no residue.

It is important to know what types of fires there are and the corresponding type of fire extinguishers that need to be used. Remember that certain fire extinguishers cannot be used on certain types of fires. This knowledge can not only save valuable possessions, it can help you make a choice that will save a life as well.