S&HM LAB MANUAL

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

EXPERIMENT-10
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

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FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

AIM: Demonstrate construction and working of different fire extinguishers

THEORY:

Types of fire extinguishers according to type of fuel:

Fuel Sources Class Type of Extinguisher

of Fire (Extinguishing Agent)
Ordinary combustibles A Water; chemical foam;
(e.g., trash, wood, paper, cloth) dry chemical

Flammable liquids B Carbon dioxide (CO2);

(e.g., oils, grease, tar, gasoline, paints, halon2; dry chemical; aqueous
thinners) film forming foam (AFFF)
Electricity (e.g., live electrical C CO2; halon; dry chemical
equipment)
Combustible metals D Dry powder (suitable for the
(e.g., magnesium, titanium) specific combustible metal
involved)

1. Dry chemicals, CO2 and halon can be used on Class A fires, but may not be effective on
their own. They need to be supplemented with water.

2. Halon extinguishers are no longer made, but some may still be in use. Dangerous gases are
formed when halon is used to put out fires. Wear proper respiratory equipment, particularly
in enclosed spaces. After use, do not allow anyone to enter the area until it has been well
ventilated.

DIFFERENT TYPES ARE:

1. Air-Water Fire Extinguishers

Air Water Extinguishers are economical and environmentally friendly and provide
protection against Class (A) Type fires being Wood, Paper & Textile Feature of Air
Water Extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers are made to fight different types of fires. In the case of flammable
solids such as paper, wood, rubber, or plastic Air-Water Fire extinguishers are an
economical and environmentally friendly option. Air-Water extinguishers are easy to
maintain and provide maximum effectiveness for minimum cost. The Air-Water extinguishers

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are perfect for the office and home especially in environments where class A type fire are more
likely to occur.

Features of Air-Water extinguishers include:

 Air Water extinguishers are rechargeable
 All metal nozzle and valves and steel cylinder
 Easy maintenance and low cost
 Effective on wide range of class A fires
 Highly portable
 Environmentally friendly with no Ozone Depletion Potential or EPA restrictions

2. Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

Dry Chemical Powder available in 1.0Kg, 1.5kg, 2.5kg, 4.5kg and 9.0kg capacities. All dry
chemical extinguishers give maximum performance, especially on highly flammable fires.
They can also be used on live electrical equipment. These extinguishers contain NO CFC's
and are rechargeable on site. Features of dry powder extinguishers include:
 All metal nozzle and valves and steel cylinder
 Easy maintenance and low cost
 Effective on wide range of class A fires
 Highly portable

Multi-Purpose ABE powder is a versatile agent which is used to extinguish class A

(Carbonaceous) fires achieved by sealing embers, it is also used on class B (Flammable Liquid)
fires and class E (Electrical) fires. The ABE powder extinguishers are approved by
AUSTRALIAN STANDARD to AS1841.5

3. Carbon Dioxide (CO²) Fire Extinguishers

CO2 available in 2.0kg, 3.5kg & 5.0kg, all CO2 Extinguishers give maximum performance
especially on Electrically Energized Fires these extinguisher contain NO CFCs and are
rechargeable features of carbon dioxide include:
 All metal valves and steel cylinder
 Easy maintenance and low cost
 Effective on wide range of fires
 Highly portable

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4. Foam Fire Extinguishers

Foam Extinguishers are suitable for either Class A, (combustible materials) and class B,
(flammable liquid) fires. Giving a good flame knock-down, the foam extinguisher retains the
features to both extinguish the risk & secure the hazard. Features of foam extinguishers
include:
 Foam Extinguishers are rechargeable
 All metal nozzle and valves and steel cylinder
 Easy maintenance and low cost
 Effective on wide range of class A fires
 Highly portable

5. Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers

Wet Chemical Extinguishers are a special purpose designed extinguisher, specifically for
use in kitchens and restaurants, where the major risk is from burning fats and oils. These
are available in two sizes, 2.0L & 7.0 L. Features of wet chemical extinguishers include:
 All metal nozzle and valves and steel cylinder
 Easy maintenance and low cost
 Effective on wide range of class A fires
 Highly portable

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN DETAIL ALONG WITH THEIR WORKING

MECHANISM

How a fire extinguisher works

Fire extinguishers are an integral part of dealing with fires, and an understanding of how a
fire extinguisher works will enable you to be able to better use this equipment in case of
an emergency. Before going into the details of how a fire extinguisher works, it is
important to understand that there are a number of types of fire extinguishers and each one
works in a different way. However, the basic working principle can be learnt for a fire
extinguisher.

For a fire to sustain, it needs the following:

 Heat to sustain itself and propagate
 Fuel to keep burning and spread to new areas
 Oxygen that is central to combustion of fuel

Even if one of these is taken away, the fire cannot sustain and will die off. This is the basic
principle on which fire extinguishers are built that help to extinguish a fire. Different types of

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fire extinguishers remove different components that require the fire to sustain, thereby
extinguishing it.

The following are the three main types of fire extinguishers in use today, and their method
of fire extinguishing is as follows –

 Water extinguishers: Water is one of the most commonly used fire extinguishing agent.
Water fire extinguishers work by removing heat from the surface, thereby killing the fire.
In water extinguishers, compressed air pushes water to come out of the tank to be sprayed
on fire.
 Gas extinguishers (mainly carbon dioxide extinguishers): Carbon dioxide fire
extinguishers contain high pressure carbon dioxide in the liquid form. When this gas is
suddenly released on a fire, the gas expands by a huge amount, thereby reducing its
temperature. In addition, carbon dioxide is heavier than air, so it settles down. This means
that carbon dioxide fire extinguishers work by removing heat and also oxygen supply to
the fire, and thus they are effective in extinguishing fires.
 Dry chemical extinguishers: These work by cutting off the fuel supply to the fire. When
dry chemical powder is sprinkled around the fire, the powder tends to form a layer on top
of the fuel and thus cuts it off from the fire. The powder being non-flammable, the fire
doesn’t get the fuel to sustain itself and thus extinguishers.

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS

To help in choosing the proper extinguisher, fires are classed A, B, C, or D, according to the type
of fuel (e.g., paper, grease, oil) that is involved in the fire. Extinguishers are available for use on
one or more classes of fire, depending on the extinguishing agent they contain (e.g., water,
chemicals).

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QUESTION & ANSWER

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