Fire Extinguisher

Fire Extinguisher is an active fire protection device. A fire extinguisher is a portable device that can efficiently control fires. A fire extinguisher is basically an apparatus that consists of a pressure agent with an agent that can extinguish the fire. It is one of the most widely used fire fighting equipment in Pakistan . Fire extinguishers act as a blanket over the fire. Fire extinguishers block or dent the access of the oxygen top the fire. It cools down the burning substance and saves people from massive destruction. Fire extinguisher device is essential for the safety of the property and life of the people. It cannot tackle the fires that have been spread on a massive level that can cause fire explosions.
Every kind of organization must install a fire extinguisher at their workplace to avoid destruction or loss.

(1) WATER EXTINGUISHERS:

Water fire extinguishers are the most common and most widely used fire extinguishers. Water extinguishers can work efficiently on Class A fire risk. This type of fire extinguisher uses water to extinguish the fire. Water has a cooling effect causing the fire to cool down until the fire is eventually extinguished. Mostly schools, hospitals, offices, and warehouses required water extinguishers.

There are some of the instruction that is specific of each kind so the fireman must follow these instructions.

For water type extinguishers the instructions are as follows.

1. Use upright
2. Pull out the pin.
3. Aims at the base of the fire.
4. Squeeze levers to operate release to interrupt.

 

(2) FOAM EXTINGUISHERS:

Foam extinguishers are used to extinguish Class B fire but it can also extinguish Class A fire. The fire caused by paper and cardboard, textile, wood, and coal plus Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol can be extinguished by foam extinguishers. It has a cooling effect on the fire. The foaming agent on burning liquid creates a blanket between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire. Foam extinguishers are suitable to extinguish fires in hospitals, residential property, and buildings where flammable liquids are stored.

The instructions for the foam fire extinguishers are as follows.

1. Hold upright
2. Pull out the safety pin.
3. Aim at the base of fire from a minimum distance of 1M.
4. Squeeze levers release to stop.

 

Warnings:

1. Do not us if the pressure indicator enters the red section.
2. Do not use outside specified temperature range.

 

(3) DCP (DRY CHEMICAL POWDER) FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:

Dry powder extinguishers are used to tackle class A, B, and C fires. We cannot use it in enclosed places. This is because the powder can be easily inhaled. It can also work on some electrical fires and cools down fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen source. Businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes Garage forecourts, Premises where welding and flame cutting takes place, businesses with large commercial boiler room and liquid petroleum gas.

1. Instructions for this type are as under.
2. Shake cylinder several times
3. pull out the safety pin.
4. Aim at the base of the don’t inverge.
5. squeeze the handle and spray on fire.

 

(4) CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) FIRE EXTINGUISHER:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) Fire extinguishers are ideal for electrical fire risks and are usually the main fire extinguisher type provided in computer server rooms. They can also extinguish Class B fire. CO2 extinguishers create a barrier to fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn. They are also useable in Construction sites.

There are some of the instructions that must be followed before discharge that are tagged on the fire extinguishing cylinder.

1. Hold cylinder upright
2. Pull out the safety fire pin
3. Aim at the firebase
4. Squeeze the lever
5. Do not hold horn when operating.
6. Suitable for use on live electrical equipment.

 

(5) WET CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are only used to extinguish fire caused by class F. They are extremely effective to handle fire properly. The wet chemical cools down the flames, chemically reacts to form a soap - like solution, sealing the surface and preventing re - ignition.

Instruction before the discharge of this type is as follows.

1. Remove safety pin
2. From 1M aim nozzle at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze handles.