Fire Extinguisher Basics
The fire triangle or combustion triangle is a simple model for understanding the ingredients necessary for most fires.
The triangle illustrates a fire requires three elements: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen). The fire is prevented or extinguished by removing any one of them. A fire naturally occurs when the elements are combined in the right mixture.
The fire tetrahedron is an addition to the fire triangle. It adds the requirement for the presence of the chemical reaction which is the process of fire. For example, the suppression effect of Halon is due to its interference in the fire chemical inhibition.
Every extinguisher should display one or more of the fire class symbols on its label. Each symbol indicates a type of fire (fuel) on which the extinguisher may be safely and effectively used. A red slash through any of the fire symbols means you must NOT use the extinguisher on that class of fire.
Class A: Wood, Paper & Plastic
Fires can involve any material that has a burning ember or leaves an ash such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, many plastics, etc.
Class B: Flammable & Combustible Liquids
Fires involve flammable liquids and petroleum gases such as motor oil, paint thinner, dry cleaning agents, etc. Flammable liquids do not ignite in the liquid state but rather it is the vapours being generated by these liquids that ignite.
Class C: Flammable Gases
Fires involve flammable gases such as “LPG” Liquid Petroleum Fuels, Propane, etc.
Class D: Flammable Metals
Fires involve exotic metals such as sodium, magnesium, and titanium. These fires require specials agents and special application techniques different from agents and techniques used on Class “A”, “B”, or “E” fires. Some agents like water will actually react to burning metals and increase the intensity of the fire in a violent manner.
Class E: Electrical
Fires involve live electrical equipment and require the use of an extinguishing agent and/or extinguisher that will not conduct electricity.
Class F: Cooking Oils & Fats
Fires involve combustible cooking media such as vegetable or animal oils and fats. These fires require wet chemical extinguishers that have superior cooling capabilities to lower the temperature of the cooking medium below its auto ignition point.
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- Fire Extinguisher Basics
-
Fire Extinguisher Basics
The fire triangle or combustion triangle is a simple model for understanding the ingredients necessary for most fires.
The triangle illustrates a fire requires three elements: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen). The fire is prevented or extinguished by removing any one of them. A fire naturally occurs when the elements are combined in the right mixture.
The fire tetrahedron is an addition to the fire triangle. It adds the requirement for the presence of the chemical reaction which is the process of fire. For example, the suppression effect of Halon is due to its interference in the fire chemical inhibition.
Every extinguisher should display one or more of the fire class symbols on its label. Each symbol indicates a type of fire (fuel) on which the extinguisher may be safely and effectively used. A red slash through any of the fire symbols means you must NOT use the extinguisher on that class of fire.
Class A: Wood, Paper & Plastic
Fires can involve any material that has a burning ember or leaves an ash such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, many plastics, etc.
Class B: Flammable & Combustible Liquids
Fires involve flammable liquids and petroleum gases such as motor oil, paint thinner, dry cleaning agents, etc. Flammable liquids do not ignite in the liquid state but rather it is the vapours being generated by these liquids that ignite.
Class C: Flammable Gases
Fires involve flammable gases such as “LPG” Liquid Petroleum Fuels, Propane, etc.
Class D: Flammable Metals
Fires involve exotic metals such as sodium, magnesium, and titanium. These fires require specials agents and special application techniques different from agents and techniques used on Class “A”, “B”, or “E” fires. Some agents like water will actually react to burning metals and increase the intensity of the fire in a violent manner.
Class E: Electrical
Fires involve live electrical equipment and require the use of an extinguishing agent and/or extinguisher that will not conduct electricity.
Class F: Cooking Oils & Fats
Fires involve combustible cooking media such as vegetable or animal oils and fats. These fires require wet chemical extinguishers that have superior cooling capabilities to lower the temperature of the cooking medium below its auto ignition point.
- Fire Safety Equipment
-
Fire Safety Equipment
- Fire Safety Maintenance
- Residential Fire Safety
- Bushfire Safety
- Workplace Fire Safety
-
Workplace Fire Safety
- Gas Cylinder Safety
- Emergency Showers & Eye Wash Stations
-
Emergency Showers & Eye Wash Stations