Scribd
Upload
20 views16 pages

Share File

The document outlines fire suppression, control, and extinguishment methods, detailing four primary techniques: cooling, smothering, separation, and interrupting the chemical chain reaction. It also describes various extinguishing agents, including water, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, dry powder, AFFF, and halons, along with their specific uses and effectiveness on different classes of fires. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of portable fire extinguishers and their classifications based on the type of fuel involved in the fire.

Uploaded by

tristapc.17
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
20 views16 pages

Share File

The document outlines fire suppression, control, and extinguishment methods, detailing four primary techniques: cooling, smothering, separation, and interrupting the chemical chain reaction. It also describes various extinguishing agents, including water, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, dry powder, AFFF, and halons, along with their specific uses and effectiveness on different classes of fires. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of portable fire extinguishers and their classifications based on the type of fuel involved in the fire.

Uploaded by

tristapc.17
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

FIRE SUPPRESION, CONTROL,

EXTINGUISHMENT AND
EXTINGUISHING AGENT
FIRE SUPPRESSION – means slowing down the rate of burning,
whereas, control means keeping the fire from spreading or holding
the fire to one area. Extinguishment is putting the fire completely
out.

4 Methods of Fire Extinguishment and How it Works


Extinguishing a fire is somewhat comparable to elimination of life.
Under the triangle of fire concept, there are 3 ways of suppressing,
controlling and extinguishing a fire, namely:

1. COOLING – The cooling process uses an extinguishing agent whose


primary characteristics is heat absorption. Water is the best general cooling
agent for firefighting purposes. Used on Class A fires, the water absorb the
heat generated at the surface of burning material, thus reducing the
temperature of the material below its flash point. Water can be also used on
Class B fires which include flammable petroleum products. As with a Class A
fire, the water absorbs much of heat reducing the vaporization rate of the
liquid fuel.
2. SMOTHERING – excludes the oxygen from the fuel so that the gases or
vapors of the fuel cannot ignite and continue the combustion.
3. SEPARATION – the removal of the fuel , as in the example of turning
off a valve in a gas line prevents the fuel and oxygen from coming
together. If fuel is not available, then heat regardless of the
temperature, cannot affect the fuel, Therefore, there is no fire.
4. CHEMICAL CHAIN REACTION – the fourth method of
extinguishment is known as in inhibition or the interruption of chemical
reaction.
EXTINGUISHING AGENTS
The effectiveness of an extinguisher on a particular fire on the amount
and type of agent in the extinguisher. Different extinguishing agents
can be used to put out a certain class of fire by one or more methods.

1. Removing oxygen
2. Removing the fuel
3. Removing heat
4. Interrupting the chemical chain reaction
MOST COMMON EXTINGUISHING AGENTS
1. WATER – used only on Class A fires. Water is the most effective in cooling
the burning material below its ignition temperature. There are 3 ways or
methods water extinguishes fires.
• COOLING – the outstanding heat absorbing qualities of water maker it an
excellent cooling agent. Water is applied in large enough amount to reduce
the temperature of the surface of the burning material.
• SMOTHERING – when water is used to smother a fire stream must be
generated in sufficient amount to exclude pr displaced air.
• USAGE – water is generally used on Class A fires, Fires involving high
flashpoint liquid such as heavy fuel and oil.
2. CARBON DIOXIDE - a number of its properties make carbon dioxide a
desirable extinguishing agent. It non combustible and not reactive with most
substances. Carbon dioxide provides its pressure for discharge from storage
cylinders or extinguishers. Being a gas, carbon dioxide can penetrate and spread
to all parts of fire.
EFFECTS:
Extinguishment with carbon dioxide is primarily by smothering. It covers or
blankets the burning materials and reduce the oxygen content to below levels
needed for combustion.
USAGE:
Due to its non conductivity, carbon dioxide is very effective for use on class on
Class C.
3. DRY CHEMICAL – the dry chemical extinguishing agents in use
today are mixtures of powders and various additives that improve the
storage , flow and water repellency of the powders.
EFFECTS:
Flames banish almost at once when dry chemical is applied directly to
the fire area.
USAGE: There are 2 types of dry chemical
1. ORDINARY AND REGULAR DRY CHEMICAL – refers to those
powders that are intended for use on Class B or Class C.
2. MULTI-PURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL – refers to powders listed for
use on Class A, Class B and C.
4. DRY POWDER – is a generally term for agents used to extinguish
combustible metal fires.
EFFECTS:
Dry powder generally extinguishes fires by excluding air from the
combustible metal.
USAGE:
Dry powder is used primarily on Class D fires and should not be used on
other types of fire, due to its limited value on these fires.
5. AFFF- Aqueous Film Forming Foam has replaced protein foam for all
around firefighting purposes. Protein Base Foam is now used primarily for
runway foaming operations and for some training purposes.
6. HALONS (HALOGENATED AGENTS) – these agents have been used
for over 50 years. Continous research has brought these agents to the
present high degree of effectiveness in interrupting the chain reaction they
possess along with a decrease in life safety hazard.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
• First aid is the immediate and temporary care given to an injured or sick
person before or until the arrival of qualified personnel/doctor.
• Portable (first aid) fire extinguishers are designed to be used on fires as
soon as possible after they start and before the fire gets too far along.
• Extinguishers are designed primarily for use by people other than
firefighters.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
FIRE EXTINGUISHER DEFINED:
• It is a mechanical device usually made of metal, containing chemicals,
fluids or gases for stopping fires, the means for application of its contents
for the purpose of putting out fire particularly in small fire.

CLASSES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER


1. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER – offer the greatest potential for
immediately controlling workplace fires. Their portability and relatively
easy operation often make them ready for use within seconds. However,
training and education is critical to know more on the operations and use
of an extinguisher. Users should know how to identify extinguishers, what
types are available, where they are in the work place and above all how
to use them
Classification and Ratings
Different type of fire extinguishers is designed to extinguish fires involving
different types of fuels. Extinguishers are classified as Class A, B, C and D
or combination depending on the fire against their agents is effective.
Class A type of extinguisher is used on fires involving ordinary
combustible materials such as wood, clothes and paper.
Class B extinguisher is used on fires involving liquids, grease and gases.
Class C extinguishers are used on fires involving energized electrical
equipment.
Class D extinguisher is used on fires involving combustible metals such
as titanium, magnesium, zirconium, sodium and potassium.

You might also like