One of the most crucial considerations for every individual should be fire safety. Fire hazards are the most dangerous of all because, if a fire breaks out in a building, it not only destroys that portion but spreads quickly, possibly resulting in death. Although only a small percentage of fire incidents are predictable and avoidable, most are not, necessitating fire safety equipment. Hence, to be prepared for any fire emergency, one must be well-equipped with fire extinguishers and install fire-rated steel doors, glazed fire doors, fire curtains, flush doors, and fire retardant paints in accordance with the construction requirements and usage typology.
Portable fire extinguishers are frequently overlooked as merely red canisters hung on the wall, but when a fire breaks out, they become the most significant element in the space. Extinguishers are critical in the event of a fire emergency because they serve as the first line of defence against damage. They frequently mean the difference between a minor problem and a total disaster.
The Fire Triangle
Specific kinds of fire extinguishers are designed to combat various types of fire. Water is one of the most prevalently used extinguishing agents for common combustibles. Air-pressurised water extinguishers are two-thirds filled with water and then pressurised with air. In some cases, detergents are used to create foam. Air-pressurised water extinguishers put out a fire by cooling the surface of the fuel, removing the “heat” element of the fire triangle. Water should never be used to extinguish a flammable or electrical fire. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are non-flammable gases under pressure. These extinguishers extinguish fires by expelling oxygen, and their high pressure has a cooling effect on fire. CO2 extinguishers are only intended for use on flammable liquid and electrical fires. Dry chemical extinguishers extinguish the fire by coating the fuel with a thin layer of fire retardant powder, separating the fuel from the oxygen.
Different Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers
Class A fire extinguishers are for common combustibles such as wood, paper, some plastics, and textiles. This fire class necessitates the heat-absorbing properties of water or the coating properties of specific dry chemicals.
Class B fire extinguishers are used to put out flammable liquid and gas fires like oil and gasoline. By preventing the release of combustible vapours, these fire extinguishers deprive the fire of oxygen and disrupt the fire chain.
Class C fire extinguishers are used on electrical fires that require extinguishing agents that are not electrically conductive. Once the electrical equipment has been de-energized, Class A or B fire extinguishers can be used.
Class D fire extinguishers are used on combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, and others that necessitate an extinguishing medium that does not react with the burning metal.
Due to the higher heating rates of vegetable oils in commercial cooking appliances, Class K fire extinguishers are used on fires involving cooking in commercial kitchens. These fire extinguishers operate on the saponification principle, which occurs when alkaline mixtures like potassium acetate, potassium citrate, or potassium carbonate are applied to burning cooking oil or grease.
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Not all fire extinguishers are the same. It is critical to understand the locations and types of extinguishers before using one. Extinguishers can be heavy, so practise picking one up and holding it to get a sense of how it feels. A fire drill can be done to understand the way out with usage. The warnings and label instructions on the fire extinguisher can come handy while using. Experiment with releasing the discharge hose or horn and aiming it at the base of a simulated fire. Do not squeeze the lever or pull the pin, this will cause the extinguisher seal to break and the pressure to drop.
During a fire emergency, first, pull the pin, then aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire from the recommended safe distance. Then, squeeze the operating lever to release the fire extinguishing agent, and sweep the nozzle of hose from side to side until the fire is extinguished, beginning at the recommended distance.
