FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

First aid is the immediate and temporary care given to an injured or sick person
before or until the arrival of qualified personnel/doctor. When the term first aid
is used to describe a piece of equipment, the same general meaning applies.

Portable (first-aid) fire extinguishers are designed to be used on fires as soon as

possible after they start and before the fire gets too far along. These
extinguishers may be able to extinguish the fire or hold it in check until larger
firefighting equipment arrives.

Extinguishers are designed primarily for use by people other than firefighters. The
skill and knowledge in their operation may mean the difference between using one
small fire extinguisher or a big operation involving many fire trucks and dozens of
people to extinguish a fire.

Fire Extinguisher Defined:

It is a mechanical device usually made of metal, containing chemicals, fluids, or

gases for stopping fires, the means for application of its contents for the purpose
of putting out fire (particularly small fire) before it propagates, and is capable
of being readily moved from place to place.

It is a portable device used to put out fires of limited size.

Classes of Fire Extinguishers:

Portable Fire Extinguisher

Portable fire extinguishers offer the greatest potential for immediately
controlling workplace fires.

Their portability and relatively easy operation often make them ready for use
within seconds. However, training and education is critical to know more on the
operations and use of an extinguisher. Users should know how to identify
extinguishers, what types are available, where they are in the work place, and
above all, how to use them.

Dry Chemicals
Dry Chemical extinguishers are usually rated for multi-purpose use. It contains an
extinguishing agent and uses a compressed, non-flammable gas as a propellant.

a. Regular or ordinary (sodium and potassium bicarbonate respectively used only

Class B or Class C fires.
b. Multi-purpose dry chemicals (ammonium phosphate) used on Class A, Class B,
and Class C.

Dry chemicals inhibit the chain reaction and, to a certain degree, cool and smother
the fire. These agents are chemically treated with a substance to keep them water
resistant and free flowing. This also helps prevent packing of the chemical while
stored inside the extinguisher. These dry chemical extinguishers may be found in
sizes which range from 2 � to 30 pounds.

2. Carbon Dioxide

- used on Class B and Class C fires. CO�2 extinguishes fire by smothering, reducing
the oxygen level, below that which supports combustion. Under certain conditions,
the coldness of the gas also helps put out the fire. It is an inert gas. When CO2
is stored under pressure in a cylinder or tank such a fire extinguisher, it changes
from a vapor to a liquid. When it passes through the discharge valve of a fire
extinguisher, it changes from a liquid to a gas and the expansion chills it to low
temperatures so that approximate 30% of the liquid CO2 is converted into a solid
dioxide �snow� or �dry ice.� The cooling will often cause ice to form around the
�horn� where the gas is expelled from the extinguisher. Since there is the
possibility that the fire could re-ignite, continue to apply the agent even after
the fire appears to be out.

3. Foam
- used only on Class A and B fires. Foam removes fuel by forming a layer over a
burning liquid and preventing flammable vapors from escaping. Foam will also
smother by keeping oxygen from mixing with the vapors and cool with a constant
layer of water bearing foam

4. Halons
- used on Class B and C fires. These liquefied gases are most effective in
interrupting the chain reaction, but they also have slight smothering and cooling
effects. These are made up of carbon and one or more halogen elements like
fluorine, chlorine, iodine, and bromine. These types of extinguishers are often
used to protect valuable electrical equipment since they leave no residue to clean
up unlike CO2. Halon extinguishers have a limited range, usually from 4-6 feet. The
initial application should be made at the base of the fire, even after the fires
have been put out.

5. Metal/Sand Extinguishers
- these types of extinguishers are primarily used for flammable metals (Class D)
and have the characteristics of a blanketing effect (smothering) on the fire. The
most common extinguishing agent used is sodium chloride.
The following are different types of Metal/Sand Extinguishing Agents:

� Sodium chloride
- used for metal fires involving magnesium, sodium (spills and in depth),
potassium, sodium/potassium alloys, uranium and powdered aluminum. Heat from the
fire causes the agent to harden and form a crust that excludes air and dissipates
heat.

� Powdered Copper Metal (Cu metal)

- used for fires involving lithium and lithium alloys. It is the only known lithium
fire fighting agent which will cling to a vertical surface thus making it the
preferred agent used on three dimensional and flowing fires.

� Graphite-based powders
- these are designed for use on lithium fires. It is also effective on fires
involving high melting metals such as zirconium and titanium.

� Specially-designed sodium bicarbonate-based dry agents

- used to suppress fires with most metal alkyls, pyrophoric liquids which ignite on
contact, with air, such as triethylaluminum.

� Sodium-carbonate-based dry powders

- can be used with most Class D fires involving sodium, potassium or
sodium/potassium alloys. This agent is recommended where stress, corrosion of
stainless steel must be kept to an absolute minimum.

6. Halotron I Extinguishers

These extinguishers are intended for use on class B and Class C fires. Halotron I
is an ozone-friendly replacement for Halon 1211 (which was banned by international
agreements starting 1994). This �clean� agent discharges as a liquid, has a high
visibility during discharge, does not cause thermal or static shock, leaves no
residue and is non-conducting. These properties make it ideal for computer rooms,
clean rooms, telecommunications equipment, and electronics, and it is expensive.

7. FE-36 - (Hydrofluorocarbon-236fa or known as HFC-236fa)

it is a DuPont-manufactured Halon 1211 replacement. This agent is less toxic than

both Halon 1211 and Halotron I. It has a zero ozone-depleting effect or potential.
FE-36 is not scheduled for phase-out whereas Halotron I production is slated to
cease in 2015.

8. Water Mist Extinguishers

Ideal used for Class A fire where a potential Class C hazard exists. Unlike an
ordinary water extinguisher, the misting nozzle provides safety from electric shock
and reduces scattering of burning materials. In non-magnetic versions, water mist
extinguishers are the preferred choice for MRI or NMR facilities or for deployment
on mine sweepers

Portable fire extinguishers are no substitute for sprinkler systems, hose streams,
or other fire fighting devices. They contain a limited supply of extinguishing
agent, and their discharge range and time is limited. But they are necessary even
when property is protected by an automatic fire protection device.

Steps in using portable fire extinguishers:

1. Pull the pin at the top of extinguisher. When in place, the pin keeps the handle
from being pressed, breaking the plastic or wire inspection band.
2. Point the nozzle or outlet toward the base of the fire. If the hose is
clipped to the extinguisher body, unclip it first.
3. Press the handle above the carrying handle to discharge the agent. To stop
the discharge, release the handle.
4. Sweep the nozzle in side to side motion before the flames to spread the
extinguishing agent. Direct the agent at the base of the flames. After the fire is
out, probe for smoldering hot spot or liquids that could reignite. Make sure the
fire is out. Back away from the fire area to protect yourself from possible danger
or flashback.

Semi-Portable/Wheeled Extinguisher

These types of extinguishers provide a way of getting a sizeable amount of

extinguishing agent to a fire rapidly. These units are designed for in plant
protection and offer a considerably longer agent discharge period and greater
firefighting power. Capacities range from 100 to 350 lbs. of dry chemical agent.
Generally, nitrogen in a separate tank releases the agent through a flexible hose
tipped with a spray nozzle. The units typically have a 50 foot (15 m) hose that
allows considerable maneuverability while combating fires.

Steps to Operate, a wheeled type extinguisher:

1. Open the compressed gas cylinder to pressurize the agent;

2. Free the hose from its reel and move toward the fire;
3. Point the nozzle toward the base of the fire;
4. Squeeze the nozzle to discharge the agent. To stop discharging, release the
nozzle action.

Inspection and Maintenance of Extinguishers:

Once a fire extinguisher is purchased and installed, it becomes the responsibility

of the owner to maintain the extinguisher so that it remains fully operable. To
fulfill this responsibility, there should be a program to provide for the periodic
inspection of each extinguisher and an effective distinguisher maintenance program
Fire extinguisher maintenance is a specialized activity and should be performed by
competent persons. Fire extinguishers provided to protect life and property and
there should be no doubt as to their reliability in time of emergency.

The more common types of extinguishers that you may come in contact with are the
following

1. Water
2. Carbon Dioxide
3. Dry Chemical
4. Dry Powder

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers

CO2 is an inert gas that extinguishes fires by smothering rather than by cooling.
The heat-absorbing capacity of CO2 is very limited, being only 10 % that of water.
When CO2 is stored under pressure in a cylinder or fire extinguisher, it changes
from a vapor to a liquid. When it passes through the discharge valve of a fire
extinguisher, the change takes place from a liquid to a gas and the expansion
chills it to low temperature.

Internal pressure generated by CO2 stored in a tank or cylinder is proportional to

the temperature; therefore, these extinguishers should not be placed in locations
where heat is intense and they must be protected from the direct rays of the sun
during hot weather. At room temperature, the CO2 gas exerts a pressure of more than
800 psi in the extinguishers. The high internal pressure at normal temperatures
requires that container must be made of heavy materials.

An empty 15-pound capacity extinguisher weighs approximately 35 pounds. The 15-

pound hand extinguisher and 50-pound hand-drawn wheel-type extinguisher are the
most commonly used in firefighting operation.

Dry-Chemical Extinguishers

Various compounds of dry-chemical agents are used. Some of the more common ones are
sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and an ammonium phosphate which is a
multi-purpose agent. These agents are chemically treated with a substance to keep
them water resistant and free flowing.

This also helps prevent packing of the chemical while stored inside the
extinguisher. These dry-chemical extinguishers may be found in different sizes
which range from 2 Y2 to 30 pounds. The 30-pound size is the most common size used.

The extinguishers may be cartridge-operated or may be of stored- pressure type. The

design of the stored-pressure type is similar to the pressurized-water type.

Dry-Powder Extinguishers

These types of extinguishers are designed for use on Class D fires. Their sizes may
vary from the small 1 lb., to the 350-pound wheeled type extinguishers. The 30-
pound type is the most common type used in the U.S. Air Force. The agents used I
the extinguishers may be in powder or in granule form.

Using these agents on the wrong type of metal fire may result .in a serious
explosion, release of toxic gases, or both, thus endangering the users and others.
One agent can be used on several types of metal fires, while another agent van be
used only on one specific type of metal fire. These agents are also treated to
remain water-resistive and free-flowing under stored conditions.

6.5 The law on destructive arson