There are a variety of the fire extinguishers you can utilize to enhance your fire safety. The five most commonly used fire extinguishers are water, foam, powder, the carbon dioxide, and the wet chemical. There are also more specialized fire extinguishers including the Halon, clean agent extinguishers FE-36 and the powder fire extinguishers such as the class D fire extinguishers for metal fire risks and monnex powder.
Water Fire Extinguishers:
The most commonly used and affordable fire extinguishers are the water fire extinguishers. They can extinguish the flammable solid fires of paper and the wood, which are categorized under class A fires.
Additives can be added to the water extinguishers to boost their fire rating and help them combat fires better. For example, the low freeze additives can protect the water from freezing in the cold conditions. This kind of the water extinguisher is perfect for the parks or the unheated warehouses and outbuildings.
Foam Fire Extinguishers:
Another great fire extinguisher is the foam fire extinguisher, which offers the class A coverage and coverage of the flammable liquid fires. For example, AFFF foam extinguishers are great for areas where there are no flammable liquid risks because the foam extinguisher is able to cover class A risks while still meeting the flooring rating of a facility.
Foam fire extinguishers used with a spray nozzle, help improve fire safety especially in situations where the foam extinguishers accidentally may spray on electrical appliances. There are foam and water extinguishers that comply with a 35kva dielectric test to certify their safety if accidentally used on electrical risks.
Powder Fire Extinguishers:
ABC dry powder fire extinguishers can also be safely used on fires involving electrical equipment like flammable solids and liquids. ABC dry powder is also acceptable to use on flammable gases. In other words, they are a multi-purpose fire extinguisher.
However, be careful with the powder Mono Ammonium phosphate. It is not the first choice of extinguishers to be used on sensitive electrical equipment. Instead, use a carbon dioxide extinguisher (co2). This kind of extinguisher protects electrical equipment without leaving a residue.
Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers:
Also, Carbon dioxide extinguishers can be used on petrol and oil but never use them on cooking fat fire because the fast discharge has the potential to spread cooking fat.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers:
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are best for cooking oil or fat fires because they carry the F class rating. This extinguisher type smothers and cools flammable cooking fat to eliminate the risk of re-igniting. They are also perfect for class A fires and passed the 35kv electricity conductivity test for added user protection.