Understanding the Types of Fire Extinguishers

These days everyone knows how disastrous fire can be, and they understand the importance of having Fire Extinguishers in their workplaces. However, most still do not realize that there are different types of Fire Extinguishers, and each of them can douse specific classes of fire. Keep on reading to know more about the various Fire Extinguishers Types and the kinds of fire they can put out.

1) Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

A Dry powder fire extinguisher is perfect for fighting class A, B, and C fires. That means you can use this kind of extinguisher to put out burning liquids, solids and gases. There are special extinguishers that can tackle even the class D fires, caused by combustible metals like, magnesium, lithium or aluminum. This extinguisher forms a crust and separates the oxygen and the fuel. Some of the extinguishers can even remove the heating element from the heat triangle.

2) Co2 Fire Extinguishers

As the name suggests, Co2 fire extinguishers contain pressurized carbon-di-oxide gas. When used for fire safety, these extinguishers do not leave any residue. You can use it for controlling liquid burning and electrical fires. As CO2 extinguishes the fire by suffocating it, the process does leave any residue on the electrical systems.

3) Water & Foam Fire Extinguishers

You can only douse the class A (solid) fire with the help of the water fire extinguishers. These are the most common as well as the simplest types of extinguishers that you see. Some manufacturing companies mix chemicals with the water to enhance its effectiveness and to reduce the size, as well as the weight, of the extinguisher. Among all types of fire extinguishers, these are the least hazardous.

Foam Fire Extinguishers, on the other and, smothers the liquid and solid fires. However, these fire extinguishers cannot control the fire caused by burning fats. These can also be used on some electrical fire if you maintain one meter of distance from the target. But, this extinguisher leaves a residue which requires cleaning once the fire is doused. Also, these extinguishers are more expensive than water ones.

4) Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers

Clean Agent fire extinguishers contain the halon agents as well as the halocarbon agents. These agents do not deplete the ozone layer as badly as you think. This extinguisher ensures safety from fire by removing the heat from the fire triangle or interrupting the chemical reaction in the first place. These fire extinguishers are perfect for handling the solid, liquid, and gaseous fires.

5) Automatic Modular Type Fire Extinguishers

Based on sprinkler technology, the Automatic Modular Fire Extinguishers combat fires in transports. These can also be used in the generator rooms or the computer rooms in the industrial area. Once they detect heat, these extinguishers jump into action.

Now that you have more information about the various extinguishers, it is time for you to get one. Fire safety is not something you should take lightly. If necessary talk to the fire experts to understand which extinguisher is best suited to fulfill your requirement. You can buy any types of fire extinguishers online from Kanex fire online store with big discount.