Fires and Extinguishers

<SWIPE

Fire Basics

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before we identify the types of fire extinguishers,

We need to learn a little about how fire works.

Fire Basics

 

 

A fire starts when all of the following occurs simultaneously:

There is a fuel or a combustible material

Enough heat to raise the temperature of the material to its ignition point

Sufficient amount of oxygen to support combustion

A Chemical reaction

 

 

 

 

Types of Fire

 

 

 

 

The type of fire that is  produced depends on which materials are involved

 

 

 

Types of Fire: Class A

 

 

Ordinary Combustibles

paper, cloth, wood, rubber, and many plastics

Types of Fire: Class B

 

 

Flammable Liquids

Fires in oils, gasoline, some paints, lacquers, grease, solvents, and other flammable liquids

Types of Fire: Class C

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment

wiring, fuse boxes, energized electrical equipment, computers, and other electrical sources

Types of Fire: Class D

 

 

   

Metals

powders, flakes or shavings of combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, and sodium

 

Types of Fire: Class K

 

   

Kitchen Fires

combustible cooking fluids such as oils and fats

 

Types of Fire Extinguishers

 

 

Fire Extinguishers are designed to remove one of the three elements that produce a fire

The Label On Each Fire Extinguisher

Indicates Which Type of Fire It Is Designed To Extinguish

Types of Fire Extinguishers: Water

 

 

Types Of Fire Extinguishers: Water

 

 

Water Extinguishers

 

Class A (wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics) fires only.

Removes the heat element of the fire triangle.

 

     

Don’t use water on flammable liquid or cooking oil fires.  Doesn’t Work. There is a big risk of spreading the fire.

Don’t use water on an electrical fire.  May cause electrocution if electrical devices are plugged.

 

Types of Fire Extinguishers: Carbon Dioxide

 

 

 

 

 

Types Of Fire Extinguishers: Carbon Dioxide

 

CO2 Extinguishers

 

      

 Class B and C (flammable liquid and electrical) fires only.

Takes away the oxygen element of the fire triangle.

 

CO2is not effective for Class A fires because they may re-ignite after the COfades.

Types of Fire Extinguishers: Dry Chemical

 

 

 

 

Types Of Fire Extinguishers: Dry Chemical

Dry Chemical Extinguishers

 

      

Primarily designed for B and C fires.

May be used on Class A, B, and/or C fires. Ensure label indicates this

Interrupts chemical reaction of the fire triangle.

Coats the fuel with a thin layer of powder which separates the fuel from the oxygen.

Types of Fire Extinguishers: Dry Powder

 

 

 

 

Types Of Fire Extinguishers: Dry Powder

Dry Powder Extinguishers

 

      

 Class D (metals) fires.

Separates the fuel element from the oxygen element of the fire triangle.

May not effective for Class A fires because they may re-ignite after the powder fades.

Types of Fire Extinguishers: Wet/Dry Chemical for Kitchen

 

 

 

 

Types Of Fire Extinguishers: Wet/Dry Chemical for Kitchen

Wet/Dry Chemical Kitchen Extinguishers

 

      

 Class K (oils and fats) fires.

Only required for commercial cooking system hood and fire suppression system

Separates the fuel element from the oxygen element of the fire triangle.