FIRE

EXTINGUISHERS

PRESENTE
AFIQAH SAFREN
BSC BIOTECHNOLOGY.
WHAT IS FIRE
EXTINGUISHER?:
 A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection
device used to extinguish or control small fires,
often in emergency situations. It is not intended
for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one
which has reached the ceiling, endangers the
user(i.e., no escape route, smoke, explosion
hazard etc….), or otherwise requires the expertise
of a fire brigade.
 Typically,a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-
held cylindrical vessel containing an agent that
can be discharged to extinguish a fire.
PARTS OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHER:
TYPES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHER:
 Water fire extinguisher
 Foam fire extinguisher
 Dry powder fire extinguisher
 CO2 fire extinguisher
 Wet chemical fire extinguisher
WATER EXTINGUISHER:

 Water extinguishers, which are the most common,

are essentially tanks full of water, often with
nitrogen or carbondioxide as the propellent to
make them come out. Water extinguishers work
mainly by heat from the fire, though they also help
to cut off a fire’s oxygen supply.
MERITS:

 Cheap to buy and refill

 Excellent surface penetration and cooling
properties, which helps to rapidly reduce the
flames
 Plainwater and nitrogen poses no threat to the
environment
 DEMERITS:
 Water
extinguisher can only be used on solid
combustibles such as wood, paper, and textiles
 As it uses plain water as its extinguisher medium
it is liable freeze at low temperatures, even with
low freeze additive still only use in temperature
down to -100 C
 Donot use on electrical fires due to shock hazards
and using it for fat and flammable liquids will
aggravate the fire
FOAM EXTINGUISHER:

 Foam extinguishers are tanks of water and foam

with compressed nitrogen as propellent. They work
by smothering the fire: when you spread a thin layer
of foam over a fire, you cut the fuel off from the
oxygen around it. Foam extinguishers also help to
absorb heat, since the cool foam they release
contains a lot of water.
MERITS:
 Foam discharge is easier to clean up than powder
 Foamis not as conductive as water, so it won’t cause as
much damage if sprayed on electrical equipment
 The water content of the foam evaporates in the heat of
the fire and cools the fire down, preventing re-ignition
 Due to the properties of the foam extinguishing agent
there is no risk of inhalation on confined spaces
DEMERITS:

 Mostfoam extinguishers are Carcinogenic, so

thorough clean up after use is important
 Usually not frost-resistant
 Foam extinguisher is corrosive and requires to be
cleaned after used, particularly on painted surfaces
DRY POWDER
EXTINGUISHER:
 Dry powder extinguishers are tanks of dry powder
with compressed nitrogen as the propellant. In
extinguishers like this, it’s the composition of the
chemical(rather than the mechanical design of the
extinguisher) that really counts. The powder is a
specially designed mixture that absorbs heat,
melts and coats the fuel, stopping it from making
flammable vapors blocking out oxygen.
 Themost widely used powder extinguishers is
monoammonium phosphate; other powder
ingredients include the metal alkali salts sodium
bicarbonate (baking soda) and pottasium
bicarbonate (similar to sodium bicarbonate),
though these are less effective on things like wood
and paper fires.
MERITS:

 Can be used on many different types of fire

 Extinguish fires quickly
 Cheap and effective compared to other types of fire
extinguishers
 Can provide fire protection for large areas
 They are safe for use on electrical fires
DEMERITS:

 Dueto powder cleanup can be costly and time-

consuming
 The
dust can affect sensitive equipment such as
computers
 When used in enclosed spaces visibility can be
reduced to almost zero always know where the
exit before use
 The powder can make breathing almost
impossible in enclosed spaces
 Can be used only once and cannot be refilled
 Frost resistant
CO2 EXTINGUISHER:

 Carbon dioxide extinguisher contains a mixture of

liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide. CO2 is
normally a gas at room temperature and pressure.
It has to be stored under high pressure to make it a
liquid. When you release the pressure, the gas
expands enormously and makes a huge white jet.
 CO2 attacks fire in two ways: it smothers the
oxygen and, when it turns from a liquid back to a
gas, it removes massive amount of heat from its
surrounding, which cools whatever you spray it on
by removing heat.
MERITS:

 Leaves no residue and is not as damaging to

electrical equipment as powder
 CO2 will not harm food, fabrics, machinery or
electrical equipment
 Frost resistant
 Its non-conductor, so can be used on live electrical
equipment
DEMERITS:

 It’s an asphyxiate, so care should be exercised

when using in confined spaces
 Limited cooling properties and no protection
against reigniting
 A non-insulated horn can cause frost burn if
user accidentally touches the horn when in
use
WET CHEMICAL
EXTINGUISHER:
 Wet chemical extinguisher is suitable for cooking
fires caused by fat and oils. Other extinguishers
can cause the oil to jet out and cause serious harm.
It contains a solution of potassium which
effectively attacks the flame in two methods:
 Firstthe mist cools the fire and lowers the
temperature to stop spreading, also prevents
splashing of fats/oils.
 Secondly the potassium salts react with the hot oil
and causes the process of saponification, coating
the surface of the cooking oil or fat in soapy foam
that is non combustible and acts as a barrier
between the fat and oil.
MERITS:
 A wet fire extinguishers leaves a soapy barrier
that continues to control the ignition point after
that the fine mist is expelled from the
extinguisher, reducing the chances of the fire
reigniting and clean up after use is quick and easy
 Withthe pressure of the extinguisher being low, it
eliminates the risk of the cooking fats and oils
being splashed around which could potentially
cause the fire to spread or result in injury
DEMERITS:

 The solution inside a wet chemical fire

extinguisher is alkaline. Consequently will
corrode some metals, especially aluminium
 The solution could also irritate the eyes and the
skin. Immediate clean up is highly recommended
 Not suitable for electrical fires
 HOW TO USE FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS:
 Whileusing the fire extinguishers, you need to
remember the PASS-word,
 Pull the Pin
 Aim at the base of the fire
 Squeeze the handle
 Sweep from side to side
THANK YOU!!!