Fire fighting equipment
Firefighting Equipment and Tools:-
What are portable firefighting devices and tools?
They are the portable manual equipment, known as “primary firefighting tools,” which are used to combat fires in their initial stages by ordinary individuals present in the building.
Fire fighting equipment
The handheld extinguisher must comply with the standards approved by the relevant authorities. The types of handheld extinguishers are divided into:
1. Pressurized Water Extinguisher (A):-
This is a cylinder filled with water under pressure from an inert gas, used to extinguish fires involving wood, paper, fabric, and plastic. Warning: This type cannot be used for fires involving electrical equipment connected to live electrical currents,
or for fires involving oils, grease, or metals. Water extinguishers work by reducing the temperature of the burning materials.
2. Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher (BC):-
This is a steel cylinder containing carbon dioxide gas compressed to a liquid state.
It is used to extinguish fires involving oils, grease, paints, electrical equipment, and flammable liquids. Carbon dioxide gas works by suffocating the flames and cooling the temperature.
It is released at a temperature of -76°C, making the extinguisher less effective outdoors as the gas dissipates in the wind. It also emits a loud noise when used.
3. Foam Extinguisher (B):-
This extinguisher is a cylinder filled with water and organic materials that produce foam.
It is used to extinguish fires involving oils, petroleum, grease, and paints. Warning: The foam extinguisher should not be used on electrical equipment connected to live currents.
It works by isolating the surface of the material from oxygen and cooling it, due to the water content.
4. Dry Chemical Powder Extinguisher (D):-
This is a cylinder filled with dry chemical powder, used to extinguish alcohol, petroleum, paints, flammable materials, and metals
(magnesium, sodium, potassium). It works by isolating the surface of the burning material.
5. Halon Extinguisher (Halogenated Fire Suppressant):-
This type is not preferred because the fumes it produces are toxic and harmful to users, especially in enclosed spaces.
The extinguisher contains chlorine, fluorine, and bromine, which are toxic gases that also affect the ozone layer. Despite being an effective extinguisher for all types of fires, it is hazardous to use.
6. Fire Blanket:-
The fire blanket is used in kitchens. It is pulled from its container, fully unfolded, and placed over the fire to cut off the oxygen supply.
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Here’s another article on fixed fire equipment, or you can browse through all the available articles.
