Fire safety is no joke. It is essential to know what to do in case of a fire emergency. It is beneficial to know the different fire extinguishers that will be their best service to you and your environment. Many people do not know that there are many fire extinguishers or that they have different uses. This brief article will give you the critical aspects of each of the six types of fire extinguishers and the types of fires they put out.
ABC Powder Fire Extinguisher
This multi-purpose fire extinguisher is one of the most used and seen on the list. The powder in the extinguisher sprays a fine chemical powder made up of mono ammonium phosphate, which ultimately blankets and suffocates the fire. ABC Powder fire extinguishers are for class A, B, and C fires (combustible materials, liquids, gases, or electrical fires).
Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher
The Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher is the fire extinguisher that everybody would love to have. It has the most effortless cleanup; it has no cleanup or residue after its use. This extinguisher removes the carbon dioxide, removing oxygen from the fire hence suffocating and killing the fire. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers do not work on kitchen fires. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers are for Class B fires that involve flammable liquids and electrical fires.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher
This wet chemical extinguisher works to exhaust class K fires (these fires consist of cooking materials such as animal and vegetable fats or oils). The material used to put out the fires consist of a potassium blend. The attack on the fire is somewhat of a two-step process. It first releases a liquid mist to cool down the fire. Next, to prevent a fire from reigniting, a thick heavy soapy substance will form because of the chemical reaction and further seal the surface with the liquid mist.
Water Mist Fire Extinguisher
This type of extinguisher is said to be the most versatile of them all. It uses the most current and up-to-date technology that will help extinguish most classes of fires. It uses tiny water molecules that suffocate and kill the fire on a multitude of layers. How this works is due to a few reasons. First, the volume of water employed on the fire increases the oxygen levels in the air and suffocates the fire. The water, of course, can also cool and reduce the temperature of the fire. In addition to the water acting as a coolant, the water is also de-ionized, which helps it smother electrical fires and burning liquids/gases. Therefore, Water Mist Fire Extinguishers can work on classes A, B, C, fires.
Foam Fire Extinguisher
This fire extinguisher sprays a foam substance that expands once it interacts with the air. The foam and water suffocate and cools down the fire. This fire extinguisher is ideal for class A fires as well as liquid and gasoline fires.
Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher
This non-conductive gas leaves behind zero residue. It is eco-friendly and does not stand to be of any harm to people who encounter it. It reduces oxygen levels and slows down the chain reaction in the fire. Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher is for class B and C fires, which are primarily electrical.
Please take the information presented here thoughtfully. Knowing the differences in these fire extinguishers is essential. Choosing the correct fire extinguishers for your business can make a huge positive difference for the safety and well-being of your staff and customers. Continue to learn about the different types of fires and fire extinguishers and how you can keep yourself and others safe.
For Albuquerque and New Mexico businesses that are unsure what type of fire extinguishers their business needs, give the fire professionals at Brazas Fire a call at 505-889-8999 to schedule a consulting appointment.