The fire is an element that changed the history of humanity, due, thanks to its use, were achieved great advances, from alimentary ones to industrial ones; however, is highly destructive, for that, if don’t have the knowledge to control it, it can generate catastrophic fires, the ones that we can mitigate with the correct use of different types of extinguishers.
Maybe some of us don’t know that exist many classes of these, and depending on the class of fire to fight, will be more or less effective. For that, today we are going to talk about the many classes of extinguishers that exist and in which circumstances can be used.
How many types of fire exist?
First, we must know the types of fire that might present us. An accident can arise by different causes: depending of them, as the chemical elements and involved fuels, we can say what are the classes of extinguishers that will work or we must have in our workspace.
Exist 5 classes of fire and their classifications are the following ones:
Class A: are originated in flammable solid fuels, such as wood or rubber.
Class B: it comes from flammable liquid fuels, such as fuel and alcohol.
Class C: it appears with the flammable gas flaring, such as methane or butane.
Class D: even though it’s odd, is presented in metals, such as sodium or magnesium.
Class F (or K, in Latin America): oils and greases in kitchens.
Types of extinguishers for each one
As you may noticed, exist different classes of fires, even though every time we look something to burn, flames might seem the same in most of cases.
In some accidents will be harder to put out the fire of ones than others, as will have a greater level of danger and difficulty to do it.
So, choosing the correct extinguishers to mitigate the flames will depend of the chemical properties of the material or substances that is causing them.
In accordance with the Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (Cenapred), an extinguisher is a device with an extinguisher agent which can be projected and focused over a fire for the action of an inner pressure. This agent can be foam, water, dust and gas.
Their classification is the following:
Water fire extinguisher
This class of extinguisher emits water. Ideal to control A type fires and use in spaces without electricity. Even though water has a great ability to cool water, it shouldn’t be used to suffocate B or K class fires; likewise, it should never be used to mitigate C type fires, due water conducts electricity.
Water mist fire extinguisher
These must be used in areas without electrical current, and preferably in outdoor spaces, such as gardens or terraces. These type of extinguishers through water as if it was fog; proper to put out A and B type fires.
Foam extinguisher
As the previous ones, must be used A and B type of fires. When throwing foam, cold the material and doesn’t allow vapor to escape, without powering combustion.
Powder
It works to mitigate A, B and C fire. By being of powder, there’s no risk of conduct electricity. In addition, generates a sticky substance to avoid the passage of oxygen, suppressing the flames. It is the most used, for that is common to find it in houses, buildings and offices.
CO2 fire extinguisher
Neither conduct electricity. By being ejected, achieve to cool down the surfaces to almost -80 degrees. Suitable for A, B and C type fires. These are used in places where is avoided to create damage to machines or tools of great value.
Halogen replacement compounds
Other of the types of motorists that doesn’t conduct electricity. In comparison with the previous, this doesn’t left residuals than can be used against A, B and C types of fires.
Special powder for D class fire
The less frequent fires, even though exists an extinguisher to put out a fire caused by metals, require the compound of specific powder according to each metal. Suffocating the flames and in some cases absorbing the heat.
Extinguishers for fires of F or K class
In case of requiring to put off a fire caused by oils and greases, the ideal thing is to have an extinguisher made of potassium acetate. It is recommended for industrial fryers or kitchens. These create something like foam that cool the oil or grease and separate from air.
Maximum care
Using an extinguisher of the correct way and in the hands of a prepared person for that, is key to prevent a bigger fire. However, let’s remember that their ruse is thought in the first stage of the accident, when fire can be controlled. If the flames expand to other zones, is necessary to call to firemen.
In the same way, in offices, commerce or factories, is important to have the correct signage and presence of signs that indicate the location of extinguisher. This, besides accomplishing with the regulations of civil defense, it can prevent fatal accidents.
Knowing which are the different types of extinguishers and fires helps you to act better before an emergency and provide them a constant maintenance.
