The various types of fire extinguisher put
out fires started with different types of fuel – these are called ‘classes’ of
fire. The fire risk from the different classes of fire in your business
premises will determine which fire extinguisher types you need.
There are
six classes of fire: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, ‘Electrical’, and
Class F.
–
Class A fires – combustible materials: caused
by flammable solids, such as wood, paper, and fabric
– Class B fires – flammable liquids: such as petrol, turpentine or paint
– Class C fires – flammable gases: like hydrogen, butane or methane
– Class D fires – combustible metals: chemicals such as magnesium, aluminum or potassium
– Electrical fires – electrical equipment: once the electrical item is removed, the fire changes class
– Class F fires – cooking oils: typically a chip-pan fire
– Class B fires – flammable liquids: such as petrol, turpentine or paint
– Class C fires – flammable gases: like hydrogen, butane or methane
– Class D fires – combustible metals: chemicals such as magnesium, aluminum or potassium
– Electrical fires – electrical equipment: once the electrical item is removed, the fire changes class
– Class F fires – cooking oils: typically a chip-pan fire
Water Extinguishers
Overview:
Water extinguishers are the most common fire extinguisher type for class A fire risk. Most premises will require either water or foam extinguishers.
Water extinguishers are the most common fire extinguisher type for class A fire risk. Most premises will require either water or foam extinguishers.
Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Do not use for:
– Fires involving electrical equipment
– Kitchen fires
– Flammable gas and liquids
– Fires involving electrical equipment
– Kitchen fires
– Flammable gas and liquids
How water extinguishers work:
The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished.
The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished.
Where to locate water extinguishers:
– By the exits on a floor where a Class A fire risk has been identified
– By the exits on a floor where a Class A fire risk has been identified
Water spray extinguishers – what’s the
difference?:
Water spray extinguishers are equipped with a spray nozzle, rather than a jet nozzle, meaning a greater surface area can be covered more quickly and the fire put out more rapidly.
Water spray extinguishers are equipped with a spray nozzle, rather than a jet nozzle, meaning a greater surface area can be covered more quickly and the fire put out more rapidly.
Water mist extinguishers – what’s the difference?:
Water mist extinguishers have a different type of nozzle again which releases microscopic water particles. These particles ‘suffocate’ the fire and also create a wall of mist between the fire and the person using the extinguisher, reducing the feeling of heat.
Water mist extinguishers have a different type of nozzle again which releases microscopic water particles. These particles ‘suffocate’ the fire and also create a wall of mist between the fire and the person using the extinguisher, reducing the feeling of heat.
Foam Extinguishers
Overview:
Foam extinguishers are most common type of fire extinguisher for Class B fires, but also work on Class A fires as they are water-based.
Foam extinguishers are most common type of fire extinguisher for Class B fires, but also work on Class A fires as they are water-based.
Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Plus:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Plus:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Do not use for:
– Kitchen fires
– Fires involving electrical equipment
– Flammable metals
– Kitchen fires
– Fires involving electrical equipment
– Flammable metals
How foam extinguishers work:
As with water extinguishers, foam extinguishers have a cooling effect on the fuel. On burning liquids, the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire.
As with water extinguishers, foam extinguishers have a cooling effect on the fuel. On burning liquids, the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire.
Types of premises/business who may need Foam
extinguishers:
– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:
o Offices
o Schools
o Hospitals
o Residential properties
o Warehouses
– Buildings where flammable liquids are stored
– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:
o Offices
o Schools
o Hospitals
o Residential properties
o Warehouses
– Buildings where flammable liquids are stored
In fact most buildings
need either water or foam extinguishers
Where to locate foam extinguishers:
– By the exits on a floor where a Class A or Class B fire risk has been identified
– By the exits on a floor where a Class A or Class B fire risk has been identified
Dry Powder Extinguishers
Overview:
Standard dry powder extinguishers are also called ‘ABC’ extinguishers because they tackle class A, B and C fires, however they are not recommended for use in enclosed spaces. This is because the powder can be easily inhaled, and also the residue is very difficult to clean up after. ABC powder extinguishers can also be used on some electrical fires. Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used for flammable metals
Standard dry powder extinguishers are also called ‘ABC’ extinguishers because they tackle class A, B and C fires, however they are not recommended for use in enclosed spaces. This is because the powder can be easily inhaled, and also the residue is very difficult to clean up after. ABC powder extinguishers can also be used on some electrical fires. Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used for flammable metals
Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Plus:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Plus:
– Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene
Plus:
– Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Plus:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Plus:
– Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene
Plus:
– Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v
Specialist dry powder extinguishers are only used on flammable metals, such as titanium
and magnesium.
Do not use for:
– Fires involving cooking oil
– Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v
– or in enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties
– Fires involving cooking oil
– Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v
– or in enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties
How dry powder extinguishers work:
Dry powder extinguishers smother fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the source of oxygen.
Dry powder extinguishers smother fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the source of oxygen.
Where to locate Dry Powder extinguishers:
– Place dry powder extinguishers near to the source of the fire risk.
– Place dry powder extinguishers near to the source of the fire risk.
Specialist Dry Powder extinguishers – what’s
the difference?:
Specialist dry powder extinguishers work in the same way as standard dry powder extinguishers but are for use with flammable metals only. There are 2 types of specialist dry powder extinguishers – ‘L2’ which only tackles lithium fires, and ‘M28’, for all other flammable metal fires.
Specialist dry powder extinguishers work in the same way as standard dry powder extinguishers but are for use with flammable metals only. There are 2 types of specialist dry powder extinguishers – ‘L2’ which only tackles lithium fires, and ‘M28’, for all other flammable metal fires.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Extinguishers
Overview:
CO2 extinguishers are predominantly used for electrical fire risks and are usually the main fire extinguisher type provided in computer server rooms. They also put out Class B fires (flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum).
CO2 extinguishers are predominantly used for electrical fire risks and are usually the main fire extinguisher type provided in computer server rooms. They also put out Class B fires (flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum).
Use for:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
– Electrical fires
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
– Electrical fires
Do not use for:
– Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires
– Combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles
– Flammable metals
– Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires
– Combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles
– Flammable metals
How CO2 extinguishers work:
CO2 extinguishers suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn.
CO2 extinguishers suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn.
Types of premises/business who may need CO2
extinguishers:
– Premises with electrical equipment, such as:
o Offices
o Kitchens
o Construction sites
o Server rooms
– Premises with electrical equipment, such as:
o Offices
o Kitchens
o Construction sites
o Server rooms
All work vehicles
should also carry a smaller 2kg CO2 extinguisher.
Where to locate CO2 extinguishers:
– Place near to the source of the fire risk and/or near the fire exits.
– Place near to the source of the fire risk and/or near the fire exits.
Wet Chemical
Extinguishers
Overview:
Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking oils and fats. They can also be used on Class A fires although it is more usual to have a foam or water extinguisher for this type of fire risk.
Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking oils and fats. They can also be used on Class A fires although it is more usual to have a foam or water extinguisher for this type of fire risk.
Use for:
– Cooking oil/fat fires
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
– Cooking oil/fat fires
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Do not use for:
– Flammable liquid or gas fires
– Electrical fires
– Flammable metals
– Flammable liquid or gas fires
– Electrical fires
– Flammable metals
How wet chemical extinguishers work:
Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil or fat, preventing oxygen from fuelling the fire any further. The spray also has a cooling effect.
Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil or fat, preventing oxygen from fuelling the fire any further. The spray also has a cooling effect.
Types of premises/business who may need wet
chemical extinguishers:
– Commercial kitchens
– Canteens
– Commercial kitchens
– Canteens
Where to locate wet chemical extinguishers:
– Place near to the source of the fire risk
– Place near to the source of the fire risk
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