Fire Extinguisher Types and Uses

Fire Extinguisher term which means cut off or alter the fire or blow down of fire which is caused due to
any explosive material or gas presence or any electrical fault found. Fire extinguisher is device which is
used for cut off the fire. These fire cut off equipment are comes in different variant with respect to the
Fire Zones Proposed & class of Fire.

Types of Fire Extinguisher:

Extinguisher types are mentioned below as classified:

1. Water Type Fire Extinguisher:

Generally for cut off firing shall be done by the water spraying over. Water type fire extinguisher
operates on the principle which is as follows when water is sprays or threw in the line of fire where
combustion of any material, gas & other electrical utility system caused then it’s lower down or cools
the temperature of substance that is in combustible form than its Ignition Point (Ignition Point is term
which defined as the lowest temperature at which substance about to become combustible when free to
air) & extinguishes the fire.

Drawbacks of Water Type Fire Extinguisher:

• Water as fire extinguishers fluid not to be used in every case. Water can’t be used with oil & petrol
because of the density differences across they floats over the water layer which means water sink
against the fluid surface.
 • Water cannot be used in case of firing from electrical cabling or Control System it conduct electricity
(Due to the presence of ions in the Water Solution), there is some chances of Getting Electric Shock
during the Extinguish Process Which leads to Server Injuries or sudden death to Fire extinguish Person.

2. Foam Type Fire Extinguisher:

• Foam Type extinguisher works on the principle in which restrict the oxygen processing to the
combustible material or substance which is firing/Burning at the moment.

Foam type extinguisher contains cylinder with a small bottle arrangement for the Aluminum Sulphate
Solution whereas cylinder contains sodium bicarbonate Solution (has some portion of saponin which
used to produce the FOG) which is saturated (Saturated Solution is defined as the solution which
contains the Solute parts in maximum concentration of the Solution, show sign of dissolving
within the Solution). This equipment is used in application cases of Petrol & Oil.

Working: In fire case Knob is placed or constructed at the top of the cylinder, as pressing the knob
release the bottle filled aluminum sulphate gets mixes with cylinder containing Solution NaHCO3

(Sodium Bicarbonate Solution).

Chemical Reaction: Al2SO4 + NaHCO3 —-> Al (OH) 3 + CO2 + Na2SO4

(Addition of Saponin reacted with carbon dioxide to produce foam appearance which cover the
Combustible material for cut off of Firing by means of restriction in supply of Oxygen to the firing
Substance).

3. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher:

Carbon dioxide type fire extinguisher which contains CO2 in Pure form for cut off for firing by
spraying it over the combustible Substance. Pressure Gauge is not installed in the Carbon dioxide
Extinguisher filling of cylinders may be checked by the Weighing Methods.

4. Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher:

Powder which is used for the Fire extinguishing Purpose mono ammonium sulphate, this is particularly used for
Metal combustible Substance.

5. Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher:

Wet Chemical fire extinguishers are a type of firefighting equipment that is specifically designed to
extinguish fires caused by cooking oils and fats in commercial kitchens. The extinguishing agent used
in these fire extinguishers is a solution of potassium acetate that helps to smother the fire and cool
down the burning surface, preventing re ignition. Wet Chemical fire extinguishers are highly effective
against Class F fires and are the preferred choice in commercial kitchens and other cooking areas.
These fire extinguishers are easy to use and are equipped with a discharge hose that allows the operator
to direct the fire extinguishing agent directly onto the fire. Wet Chemical fire extinguishers should be
regularly checked and maintained to ensure they are in good working order and ready to use in the
event of a fire.