In Australia, ensuring the safety of your home and workplace is very important. We all want to live a safe life, and a fire incident is one of the most horrible experiences we never want to face. A readily available fire extinguisher is the best defender against that.
However, we often assume that all fire
extinguishers are made equally and can be used for any kind of hazardous fire.
Well, it’s not true using the wrong extinguisher will not prevent you from
fire, or it can even make it worse for you. And that’s why today this blog will
help you understand the different types of fire extinguishers.
- Water Fire Extinguishers
Water extinguishers are designed for type A
fires caused by combustible materials like wood, paper, textiles, and plastics.
Water cools down the fire and blocks the heat resources to break the triangle
of fire. But it is not effective for electrical fires and flammable
liquid fires. Because water is a conductor, it can cause electrocution, and
helps fluid fire to spread over a larger area.
You can see this type of extinguisher in
offices, schools, and some homes.
- Foam Fire Extinguishers
It is effective for class A and class B
fires. Class B fire can be caused by flammable liquids such as petrol, oils,
diesel or grease. It cools down the water and also creates a physical barrier
over the liquid, blocking the source of oxygen.
In Australia, you can find these types of
fire extinguishers in garages, workshops or kitchens, but they are ineffective
for electrical fires.
- Dry Chemical (ABC) Fire Extinguishers
This is the most versatile option and
effective for three types of fire: Class A, B and C (flammable gases and
electrical fire). The dry chemical powder creates a physical barrier between
the oxygen and the fuel, and also interrupts the chemical reaction of fire.
This kind of fire extinguisher installation is
important in Australian workplaces. But this type of extinguisher makes the
place dirty and dry power can also cause damages to equipment.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Fire Extinguishers
This extinguisher is specially made for
class B and C fires. High-pressure CO2 pushes air away from the flame
and blocks the source of oxygen and that stops the fire from spreading. This is
the best option you can use that does not leave any scraps or leftovers.
You can use this extinguisher in offices, data centres or server rooms where costly equipment is present.
- Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers
The Wet Chemical extinguisher is
specifically used for fires caused by cooking oils and fats (Class F fires),
where the use of the wrong extinguisher can create more problems. Wet chemical
creates the soapy layer around bring oil which helps in cooling and stops the
fire from restarting.
You can use this in commercial, industrial,
and residential kitchens where use of oils for deep-frying is very common.
Conclusion
No comments:
Post a Comment