Fire extinguishers are an essential piece of equipment for fire defense, as they put out fires, avert potential tragedies, and save property. It is common knowledge that fire extinguishers are an essential component of any life safety system; however, relatively few people are aware of just how essential they are, as well as the types of fire extinguishers that are most effective for dealing with various types of dangers and environments. Knowing which types of technologies are most effective for fighting specific types of fires is essential, as this can help save lives in an emergency.
How effective are fire extinguishers at putting out a blaze?
Extinguishers have a good chance of putting out a fire if the blaze is discovered when it is still in its early stages. Only in 2010, they were responsible for putting out 5.32 million fires, but according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), they had this task completed.
According to a study carried out in the United Kingdom in 2002 by the Fire Extinguishing Trades Association (FETA) and the Independent Fire Engineering and Distributors Association (IFEDA), portable fire extinguishers were able to put out 80% of all fires successfully. In 75% of those instances, the fire department was not required to assist.
How much money can be saved by using extinguishers?
Because almost 2 million fires are put out without the local fire department being notified, it is difficult to determine an accurate total. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) found that 83 per cent of reported fires in primarily commercial buildings with sprinkler systems never grew large enough to activate the sprinklers, suggesting that the building’s occupants extinguished the fires. According to these statistics and the fact that a commercial fire results in damage claims of an average of $35,000, fire extinguishers save billions of dollars each year. Some estimates put that number as high as approximately $5 billion.
Extinguishers for various kinds of fires
- It is essential to have a solid understanding of which fire extinguishers will be most effective at putting out the various blazes that can break out on your property. The following are the primary technological advancements:
- Dry chemical extinguishers are the most effective type of extinguisher in settings and circumstances where a fire can be extinguished in a short time and no materials are present that could reignite the fire.
- Clean agent extinguishers utilize gasses that do not transmit electricity and leave little to no residue behind. These extinguishers are typically chosen to protect sensitive electronic equipment. They are frequently discovered in data centers and the rooms that house servers.
- Because foam extinguishing chemicals spread across the surface of a liquid and prevent flammable vapors from coming into contact with additional oxygen, foam extinguishers are designed to put out fires caused by the spillage of flammable liquids or in swimming pools.
- Extinguishing fires caused by cooking oil requires the use of wet chemical extinguishers. The chemicals in these extinguishers react with the fats in the oil to produce a foam that suffocates the flames.
- Extinguishers made of water: Certain types of water extinguishers are explicitly designed to put out fires in places that contain wood, sawdust, or waste, as well as fires that involve electronic equipment.
When fires involving metals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, and sodium-potassium alloys, dry powder extinguishers are the most effective alternative, the powder quickly forms a crust due to the heat of the fire, which ultimately suffocates it.
Your first defensive perimeter will continue to be your most vital defensive position
A fire extinguisher is an indispensable piece of equipment that should always be kept on hand, regardless of the types of fires that could threaten the safety of your home or business. It has the potential to not only save your life but also prevent the loss of tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of property. Get in touch with the professionals at Brazas Fire by calling 505-899-8999 or filling out our online contact form if you need assistance determining the appropriate types of fire extinguishers to use in your building and the optimal locations for those extinguishers. They can also help you meet the requirements for inspections, maintenance, or installation of any life safety system component.