Fire Extinguishers - The Definitive Handbook on Selection and Placement
Fire extinguishers are mandatory at places where the incidence of fire is very high, notably places like petrol stations and restaurants, but it is prudent to install them anywhere where people are living and working.
Fire extinguishers come in a variety of different sizes.
There are the very large types that you would find at shipyards.
These ones may require up to two people to carry them into position.
Next you'll find the portable types that you find in small shops or homes.
There are 4 main types of fire extinguishers.
They are classified based on the types of combustible fuels they are designed to extinguish.
First, we have Class A extinguishers that are used to put out fires made up of solid fuels (such as wood, paper, plastics etc.
).
The next class of fire extinguishers are the Class B types which are used to stop liquid fires.
This fire fighting equipment is most suitable for flammable liquids such as kerosene.
The next class of extinguishers (Class C) are used for fires when there is energized electrical power involved.
This type of fire extinguisher will not provide a return conduction path back to the user and is good to use if there is a suspicion that electricity may be present.
The last type of fire extinguishers are the 'Class K' variants.
These units can be used on cooking oil fires in commercial kitchens.
In terms of how fire extinguishers operate, we have 2 main types of fire extinguishers.
There is the stored pressure appliance, followed by the cartridge design.
The stored pressure variation houses the substance that extinguishes the fire, together with a propellant in the form of compressed air or nitrogen inside the extinguisher itself.
As you press the trigger, the extinguishing agent is expelled from the tank and a resulting powder gushes out from the nozzle to put out the fire.
In the cartridge design, there is no such pressure stored in the main tank.
Instead you have a tiny auxiliary cartridge that discharges into the cylinder when you depress the trigger.
This way, it becomes just like a stored pressure tank which then puts out the fire.
As a principle, you need to keep the extinguisher in a place that is easy to reach.
It is best to store them near escape routes or near or behind doors.
You should not install 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 located easily.
It isn't advisable to keep them inside cabinets or boxes.
As a precaution make sure that you inform your staff about where your extinguishers are located and what they need to do in case a fire breaks out.
Fire extinguishers require regular maintenance.
Generally they are serviced at regular intervals by the seller or by an agent thereof.
Maintenance involves cleaning, inspecting for corrosion and charging of the powder which may have exceeded its expiry date.
The technicians will also check out the discharge nozzle and triggers to see if they are functioning properly.
Fire extinguishers are useful equipment.
They protect your home, property and most importantly, lives against fire.
A small investment in their purchase can save you from huge losses and inconvenience.
Fire extinguishers come in a variety of different sizes.
There are the very large types that you would find at shipyards.
These ones may require up to two people to carry them into position.
Next you'll find the portable types that you find in small shops or homes.
There are 4 main types of fire extinguishers.
They are classified based on the types of combustible fuels they are designed to extinguish.
First, we have Class A extinguishers that are used to put out fires made up of solid fuels (such as wood, paper, plastics etc.
).
The next class of fire extinguishers are the Class B types which are used to stop liquid fires.
This fire fighting equipment is most suitable for flammable liquids such as kerosene.
The next class of extinguishers (Class C) are used for fires when there is energized electrical power involved.
This type of fire extinguisher will not provide a return conduction path back to the user and is good to use if there is a suspicion that electricity may be present.
The last type of fire extinguishers are the 'Class K' variants.
These units can be used on cooking oil fires in commercial kitchens.
In terms of how fire extinguishers operate, we have 2 main types of fire extinguishers.
There is the stored pressure appliance, followed by the cartridge design.
The stored pressure variation houses the substance that extinguishes the fire, together with a propellant in the form of compressed air or nitrogen inside the extinguisher itself.
As you press the trigger, the extinguishing agent is expelled from the tank and a resulting powder gushes out from the nozzle to put out the fire.
In the cartridge design, there is no such pressure stored in the main tank.
Instead you have a tiny auxiliary cartridge that discharges into the cylinder when you depress the trigger.
This way, it becomes just like a stored pressure tank which then puts out the fire.
As a principle, you need to keep the extinguisher in a place that is easy to reach.
It is best to store them near escape routes or near or behind doors.
You should not install 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 located easily.
It isn't advisable to keep them inside cabinets or boxes.
As a precaution make sure that you inform your staff about where your extinguishers are located and what they need to do in case a fire breaks out.
Fire extinguishers require regular maintenance.
Generally they are serviced at regular intervals by the seller or by an agent thereof.
Maintenance involves cleaning, inspecting for corrosion and charging of the powder which may have exceeded its expiry date.
The technicians will also check out the discharge nozzle and triggers to see if they are functioning properly.
Fire extinguishers are useful equipment.
They protect your home, property and most importantly, lives against fire.
A small investment in their purchase can save you from huge losses and inconvenience.
