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Types of Fire Extinguishers: Water and Foam

There are several types of fire extinguishers that work through different mechanisms to put out fires. Water and foam extinguishers remove heat and oxygen from fires, while carbon dioxide removes heat and oxygen. Dry chemical extinguishers interrupt the chemical fire reaction. Multipurpose dry chemical can be used on Class A, B, and C fires by separating oxygen from fuel. It is important to use the correct type of extinguisher for the class of fire.

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95 views3 pages

Types of Fire Extinguishers: Water and Foam

There are several types of fire extinguishers that work through different mechanisms to put out fires. Water and foam extinguishers remove heat and oxygen from fires, while carbon dioxide removes heat and oxygen. Dry chemical extinguishers interrupt the chemical fire reaction. Multipurpose dry chemical can be used on Class A, B, and C fires by separating oxygen from fuel. It is important to use the correct type of extinguisher for the class of fire.

Uploaded by

Jowayne Hudson
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Types of Fire Extinguishers

Water and Foam


Water and Foam fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the
heat element of the fire triangle. Foam agents also separate the oxygen
element from the other elements.
Water extinguishers are for Class A fires only - they should not be used on
Class B or C fires. The discharge stream could spread the flammable liquid
in a Class B fire or could create a shock hazard on a Class C fire.

Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire by taking away the
oxygen element of the fire triangle and also be removing the heat with a
very cold discharge.
Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B & C fires. They are usually
ineffective on Class A fires.

Dry Chemical
Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting
the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
Today's most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry
chemical that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works
by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on
Class A fires.
Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the
correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow
the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished succesfully.
Wet Chemical
Wet Chemical is a new agent that extinguishes the fire by removing the
heat of the fire triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier
between the oxygen and fuel elements.
Wet chemical of Class K extinguishers were developed for modern, high
efficiency deep fat fryers in commercial cooking operations. Some may also
be used on Class A fires in commercial kitchens.

Clean Agent
Halogenated or Clean Agent extinguishers include the halon agents as
well as the newer and less ozone depleting halocarbon agents. They
extinguish the fire by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
Clean agent extinguishers are primarily for Class B & C fires. Some larger
clean agent extinguishers can be used on Class A, B, and C fires.

Dry Powder
Dry Powder extinguishers are similar to dry chemical except that they
extinguish the fire by separating the fuel from the oxygen element or by
removing the heat element of the fire triangle.
However, dry powder extinguishers are for Class D or combustible metal
fires, only. They are ineffective on all other classes of fires.

Water Mist
Water Mist extinguishers are a recent development that extinguish the fire
by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. They are an alternative
to the clean agent extinguishers where contamination is a concern.
Water mist extinguishers are primarily for Class A fires, although they are
safe for use on Class C fires as well.
Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical
Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire
primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
Like the stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers, the multipurpose dry
chemical is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by
creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on
Class A fires.
Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the
correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow
the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.

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