Fire Extinguishers – A Handbook On What Type To Buy
No matter where you live or where you work, there is always the risk that a fire may break out. A conveniently placed fire extinguisher will probably be your first line of defense, and may save a life or property. Fire extinguishers are mandatory at places where the probability of fire is very high, notably places like gas stations and restaurants.
Fire extinguishers come in a variety of different sizes. There are the very large types that you might find at places like oil refineries. These ones may require more than one person to carry them conveniently. Next you have the smaller portable types that you find in small shops or homes.
There are 4 main ‘classes’ of extinguishers. They are categorized based on the types of combustible fuels they are designed to extinguish. First, we have Class A extinguishers which are designed to put out fires comprised of solid fuels. The next class of fire extinguishers are the Class B extinguishers which are used to stop liquid fires. This class of extinguisher is most suitable for flammable liquids such as gasoline. The next class of extinguishers (Class C) are used for fires when there is electricity involved. This kind of extinguisher won’t provide a return conduction path back to the fire fighter and is good to use if there is the slightest suspicion that an electrical charge may be present. The final style of fire extinguishers are the ‘Class K’ variants. These units are used on cooking oil fires in commercial kitchens.
In terms of how they work, we have 2 main types of fire extinguishers. There is the stored pressure appliance, and the cartridge design. The stored pressure type has the particular substance that extinguishes the fire, together with a propellant of some kind stored directly inside the unit. As you press the handle, the extinguishing agent is propelled from the tank and a resulting powder gushes out from the nozzle to extinguish the fire. In the cartridge design, there is no such pressure. Instead of this you have a tiny ancillary cartridge that discharges into the cylinder when you depress the extinguisher’s handle. In this fashion it becomes just like a stored pressure tank which then puts out the flames.
As a general rule, you should keep the fire extinguisher in a place that is simple to get to. It is most logical to store them near places unlikely to catch fire first or close to entrances and exits. You should not locate them higher than 4 feet off the ground, otherwise you will need some time to get it down. You should also keep them in places where they can be seen easily. It is not recommended to keep them inside cupboards or closets. As a precaution you need to educate your household about where your extinguishers are and what they need to do in case a fire breaks out.
Fire extinguishers require regular and proper upkeep. Generally they are serviced annually by the manufacturer or by an agent thereof. Maintenance involves cleaning the equipment, inspecting for rust and recharging of the powder which may have exceeded its expiry date. The technicians will also inspect the discharge nozzle and handles to make sure they are in working condition.
Extinguishers are useful equipment. They protect your business, property and most importantly, life against fire. A small investment in their purchase can save you from huge losses and a great deal of inconvenience.
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