Fire safety equipment is the equipment found on strategic points in buildings used to fight fire in case of an outbreak. Some equipment is filled with foam while others are liquid CO2. Each equipment should be easily accessible so that in case of an emergency, they can be used to fight the fire.
Types of fire extinguishers
There are five types of fire extinguishers available which include the following: water, dry powder, wet chemicals, and CO2. For you to meet and comply with the regulations of fire extinguishers, you should have the right type of extinguisher in the strategic place for ease of access during a fire emergency. The different causes of fires determine what type of extinguishers it should be used; for example, a fire caused by an electrical fault should not be fought using water fire extinguishers. You will also need to have the right size of fire extinguishers for it to be effective. In the five types of fire extinguishers, water and powder have their versions for example:
- Water
- Water Spray
- Water Mist
- Foam
- Dry Powder Specialist
- Dry Powder Standard
- Wet Chemical
- Carbon Dioxide (‘CO2’)
This makes the total types available as eight in total.
Water extinguisher
They are the most common types of extinguishers for class A fire risks. You will find these types of extinguishers in most premises that require foam or water extinguishers. The colour of the container is brick red, and it has a hosepipe that lets the water or foam out while fighting the fire. A water extinguisher is suitable for organic materials like paper and wood, textiles and charcoal. Fires involving electric equipment should not use this. Water extinguisher uses a cooling effect to reduce fire until it finally goes off. Also not suitable for flammable and liquids and gases.
Dry powder extinguisher
Dry powder extinguisher is also known as ABC extinguisher because it used against class ABC fires. They are not recommended in enclosed spaces because they can easily suffocate someone when inhaled. They can fight some electric fires, whereas specialist dry powder is used in flammable metals. It should not be used on fires involving cooking oil and electric equipment with more than 1000v. They are placed in fire risk-prone areas where they can be accessed easily.
CO2 Extinguisher
They are used for electric fires, and it is commonly the main extinguisher found in computer rooms. They are effective for class B fires like petroleum products. They should not be used on kitchen fires, wood or textiles, and flammable metals. CO2 suffocates the fire by displacing the oxygen needed for burning. They are normally placed near the fire exits. They are commonly found in offices, construction sites, kitchens and server rooms. They are commonly found in small containers of 2kg in all vehicles for fire safety.
Wet chemical extinguishers
They are designed to be used on class F fires which involve cooking oils and fats. They can also be used in class A, but foam and water are more effective. They can effectively extinguish fires on cardboard, fabrics, textiles, wood and flammable metals. Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of burning fats and oils, thus preventing oxygen supply. It has some cooling effects also. They can be found in commercial kitchens and canteens. They are placed near the risk areas within the kitchen setting.
You can get high quality fire safety equipment by IQS Solutions for your home or office.