Objective

Project Name: Fire Extinguisher

 In an office or any workplace, must have seen fire

extinguishers placed in distinct identifiable locations. It is a
mandatory safety requirement to keep fire extinguishers in
places where there are possibilities of fire hazards. But
most of us do not know many details about this widely
used fire protection device. As per the syllabus, I will try to
explore more details about fire extinguishers, their types,
selections, and inspection requirements.

Subrata Pal, Reg. No- D222302786

 Introduction

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device for

controlling or extinguishing small accidental fires. During
emergencies, a fire extinguisher can control a small fire.
However, this device should not be used for out-of-control fire
events that endanger the user. Usually, a fire extinguisher
consists of a cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent
that can extinguish a fire when discharged. A person can easily
operate this device. Non-cylindrical fire extinguishers are also
available but are less common.

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Different types of fire classes:

Fire Class Type of Fire / Fuel

Class A Fires Solid Combustibles: Fires involving solid combustible materials
such as wood, textiles, straw, paper, coal, etc.

Class B Fires Flammable Liquids: Fires caused by the combustion of liquids or

materials that liquify such as petrol, oils, fats, paints, tar, ether, alcohol, stearin,
paraffin, etc.

Class C Fires Flammable Gases: Fires caused by combustion of gases such as

methane, propane, hydrogen, acetylene, natural gas, city gas, etc.

Class D Fires Flammable Metals: Fires involving combustible metals such as

magnesium, aluminum, lithium, sodium, potassium, and their alloys.

Combustible metal fires are unique industrial hazards that require special fire
extinguishers.

Class F Fires Combustible Cooking Media: Fires involving particularly hot or

deep oil and grease fires. Such as deep-fat fryers in commercial kitchens or
overheated oil pan fires in homes. Wet chemical extinguishers are unique in
that they lay a cooling foam layer on top of burning fat/oil and react with the
liquid, stopping air supply to the fire. Normal Water-based extinguishers with
large droplets would cause an explosion of steam and carry burning oils and
fats from the container. Equally, a 𝐶𝑂 extinguisher’s jet would carry burning oil
out of the container and also would have an insufficient cooling effect to stop re-
ignition.

Electrical Fires Electrical Appliances: Fires involving electrical appliances such as

computers, electrical heaters, stereos, fuse boxes, etc.

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Different types of fire
extinguishers:

Usually, most fire extinguishers consist of similar parts and

components even though the extinguishing agent may differ.
Common fire extinguisher parts are:
 A cylindrical tank containing propellant and an
extinguishing agent.
 A release system comprised of a squeeze handle, a valve
assembly, and a release lever.
 A safety mechanism comprised of a tamper seal and a
pull pin.
 A hose for directing the extinguishing agent.

Types of fire extinguishers:

 Class A fire extinguisher: These fire extinguishers are used to put
out class A fires characterized by fire from ordinary solid or dust
combustibles like wood, paper, fabric, cardboard, etc.
 Class B fire extinguishers: Class B fire extinguishers are used to
prevent Class B fire hazards from flammable liquids like grease,
gasoline, oil (except cooking oil), paint, etc.
 Class C fire extinguishers: Class C fires originated from flammable
gases like methane, butane, propane, hydrogen, etc. are best
handled using class C fire extinguishers.

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  Class D fire extinguishers: Class D fire extinguishers are widely
used to put out fires generated from combustible metals, such as
magnesium, sodium, potassium, lithium, titanium, or aluminum.
 Class E fire extinguishers: These fire extinguishers are used to
extinguish fires that originated from live electrical sources.
However, in many countries, this is not recognized as a separate
fire class because once the electrical power supply is switched off,
it can be considered as any of the other five classes.
 Class F fire extinguishers: Class F fire extinguishers find their use
to extinguish class F fires characterized by fires from cooking oils,
vegetable oils, fats, butter, etc.

 Note: The above fire extinguisher classes slightly vary from country to
country. The comparison is tabulated below for guidance:
American European UK Australian/Asian Fuel/Heat source
Class A Class A Class A Class A Ordinary Combustibles
Class B Class B Class B Class B Flammable Liquids
Class B Class C Class C Class C Flammable Gases
Class C Unclassified Unclassified Class E Electrical Equipment
Class D Class D Class D Class D Combustible Metals
Class F Class F Class F Class F Cooking Oil or Fat

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Comparison of fire extinguisher class:
 Types of Fire Extinguishers
Based on the content inside the vessel, 6 main types of fire
extinguishers are available.
They are:
 Water fire extinguishers
 Foam fire extinguishers
 Powder fire extinguishers
 Carbon dioxide (co ) fire extinguishers
 Wet chemical fire extinguishers
 Clean agent fire extinguishers.

 Water Fire Extinguishers:

Water fire extinguishers are the most economical and simplest among all
the fire extinguisher types. They are suitable to put off Class A fires. All
water extinguishers have a bright red label. Water fire extinguishers are
widely used in shops, domestic buildings, offices, retail premises,
schools, hotels, warehouses, hospitals, etc. Water fire extinguishers are
four types:
o Water jet extinguishers: A water jet extinguisher throws a water
jet at the burning material forcing the material to cool down
preventing re-ignition.
o Water spray extinguishers: Water spray fire extinguishers use a
very fine spray of water droplets surrounded by air to extinguish
the fire.

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 o Water extinguishers with additives: A foaming chemical is
added to the water fire extinguishers with additives that help in
effective soaking into the burning materials. The addition of
chemicals can cause a smaller fire extinguisher to produce the
same firefighting capacity as a larger one.
o Water mist extinguishers: A water mist fire extinguishers apply
water in the form of fog or mist. The generated mist droplets are
much smaller as compared to those formed in the water spray fire
extinguisher. Smaller droplets possess larger surface areas
concerning their size. Such smaller droplets evaporate quickly
absorbing the heat energy from the fire.
 Foam Fire Extinguishers:
Foam fire extinguishers find their application to put out class A and class
B fires. They blanket the fire with foam generated when the spray hits
the air. This blanket prevents the vapors from reaching the air. Also, the
water in the foam provides a cooling effect to prevent re-ignition. Foam
fire extinguishers carry a cream label.
 Powder Fire Extinguishers:
Powder fire extinguishers are multi-purpose extinguishers with
numerous advantages. It is one of the most common extinguishers in
wide use as powder extinguishers can be effectively used on class A, B,
C, and E fires. Fine chemicals in powder form as extinguishing agents
are released by the powder extinguishers to blanket the fire and
suffocate it. The common powder is mono-ammonium phosphate.

However, as they do not cool the fire, there is a possibility of re-ignition.

Also, powder can create a loss of visibility and breathing problems. So,

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powder extinguishers should be used as the last resort. Powder fire
extinguishers carry a blue label.
 Carbon Di-Oxide Fire Extinguishers:
A carbon dioxide extinguisher (𝐂𝐎𝟐 ) is ideal for fires involving electrical
hazards (Class E). This is one of the cleanest types of fire extinguishers
in commercial use and requires no clean-up after use. 𝐂𝐎𝟐 fire
extinguishers can also be used on class B fires involving flammable
liquids.

𝐂𝐎𝟐 fire extinguishers blanket the fire by cutting off the air supply which
in turn removes oxygen, required for fire to continue. 𝐂𝐎𝟐 fire
extinguishers carry a black label.
 Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers:
The wet chemical extinguishers are highly efficient extinguishers and
ideal for fire hazards involving cooking oils and vegetable fats (type F or
type K fire class). They contain a potassium solution that rapidly knocks
the flames out, cools the hot oil, and seals the liquid surface with a thick
soap-like substance generated by a chemical reaction. This soap-like
substance prevents re-ignition. Wet chemical fire extinguishers can also
be used for class A fires and they carry a yellow label.
 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers:
A clean agent fire extinguisher is a gaseous fire suppression system.
The agent in its liquid phase is stored in the cylinder. When it is sprayed
through the nozzle, the clean agent converts into a non-conductive, safe
eco-friendly gas upon contact with the air. The gas extinguishes the fire
by reducing the oxygen levels and impeding the chain reaction. They are
ideal and widely used for class B and E-type fires.

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 o The following diagram provides a quick
reference of a fire extinguisher-type chart:

Automatic Fire Extinguishers:

Automatic fire extinguishers are used to fight transport fires

(engine compartments of boats or large vehicles, or in industrial
use, such as in generator or computer rooms). They are
automatic and easy to recharge. Once they detect heat,
Automatic fire extinguishers immediately act. They are suitable
for class A, B, C, and electrical fires and contain dry powder or
clean inert gases as the extinguishing agent.

Subrata Pal, Reg. No- D222302786

Selection of Fire Extinguisher:

To select a fire extinguisher, one needs to identify the fire class.

Knowing the reason or origin of the fire hazard can help
determine the fire class. The fire extinguisher-type chart will
help decide the specific fire extinguisher type selection. If the
fire hazard contains a mix of fire classes, it is important to
select an extinguisher that can control all of the hazards
present. The manufacturers provide the rating for the
extinguisher and that is specified on the product label affixed to
the extinguisher. The main factors that should be considered
while selecting a fire extinguisher are:
 Fire Extinguishers of certain fire hazard types may not be
effective against fires of a different hazard class. Even, it
may increase the fire severity if not selected carefully.
 Extinguishers intended for certain fire hazards can
increase personal hazards for users when used against
different hazard-class fires.
 Extinguishers rated for multiple fire hazards may have
different levels of effectiveness for each hazard.
 Fires involving metals are controlled by class D
extinguishers. Note that, an extinguisher that may be

Subrata Pal, Reg. No- D222302786

 highly effective in one type of metal fire, may be
dangerous on other types of metallic fires.
 Class F (K) fire extinguishers for controlling kitchen fire
exposures may not be suitable for conventional usage.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher:

It is the responsibility of the employer to educate designated

employees on how to use a fire extinguisher during emergency
situations. It is part of a mandatory emergency fire evacuation
plan. The specified person must know the locations and the
types of extinguishers in the workplace.
As fire extinguishers are usually heavy, frequent practice of
picking up and holding the extinguisher is advantageous. Also,
the user must read the operating instructions and warnings
mentioned on the fire extinguisher label.
Now to use a fire extinguisher, a simple technique known as
the PASS fire extinguisher technique is used. This is a four-
step method as describe below: -
1. Pull: Pull the pin to break the tamper seal.
2. Aim: Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire from the
recommended safe distance. For 𝐂𝐎 fire extinguishers,

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 care must be exercised not to touch the horn as the severe
cold can damage the skin.
3. Squeeze: Squeeze the handle or operating lever to release
the fire extinguishing agent.
4. Sweep: Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of
the fire until the fire appears to be out. If fire re-ignites steps
from 2 to 4 should be repeated.
Using this PASS fire extinguishing methodology, small fires can
easily be prevented. But remember to evacuate immediately in
case of slightest doubt regarding the capability to fight a fire.

Fire Extinguisher Inspection:

NFPA 10 provides the guidelines for Fire Extinguisher Inspection

requirements to ensure the extinguisher works fine during fire
events. Usually, a fire extinguisher inspection is conducted
monthly by safety officers or external professionals. The
inspection of fire extinguishers consists of the following steps:
1. Check Accessibility: Ensure that the fire extinguisher is
available at the designated accessible place and clearly
visible unobstructed.

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 2. Examine the Physical State: Thoroughly examine the
extinguisher for any physical damage, clogged nozzle,
corrosion, leakage, etc. The locking pin should be intact
and the tamper seal unbroken. The fire extinguisher
operating instructions should be clearly visible.
3. Inspect the Pressure Gauge and Weight of the
extinguisher: Ensure that the dial indicator of the pressure
gauge is in the operable range. Also, ensure that the fire
extinguisher is full by weighting or lifting the device. For
wheeled fire extinguishers, confirm the condition of tires,
wheels, carriage, hose, and the nozzle are good for
working.
4. Check the Inspection Tag: The inspection tag should be
filled to ensure that the fire extinguisher is regularly
inspected.

Recommended Action and Closeout Report:

Any observation should be informed to the concerned person
for necessary action and a report must be prepared indicating
the date of inspection. Such fire extinguisher inspection reports
must be maintained for at least 12 months.
Depending on the type of extinguisher, an internal examination
must be conducted within 1–6-year intervals. The following

Subrata Pal, Reg. No- D222302786

image provides a typical fire extinguisher inspection tag along
with inspection checklists.

Subrata Pal, Reg. No- D222302786

Subrata Pal, Reg. No- D222302786