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Fire Extinguishers - Simple Operation, Easy Inspection, But Multiple Benefits
Security on today’s buildings is not the same as it was in the
past. Today you have portable fire extinguishers, safe zones, sprinklers,
escape routes and fire extinguisher signs.
All of them have been created
to reduce the risk of suffering a fatality due to an accident. Thanks
to these measures, thousands of lives have been saved around the world.
What Is A Fire Extinguisher?
It is a mechanical device created for putting out fires. The history
of the fire extinguisher goes back to the 19th century, when George
William Manby, Captain of the British militia, noted that firemen
in Edinburgh weren’t able to reach the top floors of the buildings.
He made a cylinder of copper which contained water and compressed
air. The firemen only need to point the hose to the fire to extinguish
it.
During the rest of the 19th and 20th century, this device was continuously
improved due to the necessities of the modern world. Better materials
and chemicals where implemented, bringing us to the portable fire
extinguisher of today.
How Does A Fire Extinguisher Work?
Modern extinguishers contain an inner cartridge filled with carbon
dioxide, which is the chemical that creates the pressure over the
extinguishing agent. Once you push a lever, the carbon dioxide will
push the agent and project it through the hose. The pressure will
permit the user to point the fire from a safe distance, permitting
him to maneuver and control the fire.
Categories of Fire Extinguishers
There are several types of fire extinguishers. They have been specially
designed for determined types of burning material. Why? As we have
gained more experience on this theme, we have learned that some extinguishing
agents are better than others when you use them on wood, liquids or
electrical equipment:
Class A
This type of extinguisher was created for combustible materials based
on cellulose, like paper, wood or cardboard, or materials like cloth,
styrofoam, trash or plastics. Its markings are a green triangle with
an A inside and a black square with burning wood and a burning trashcan.
Class B
It involves flammable liquids and greases. Some examples are gasoline,
kerosene, oil, paint, solvent and rubber cement. It is represented
by a B within a red square and a black square with a burning gas can.
Class C
The Class C extinguishers are those made for electrical fires. Represented
by a blue circle with a C inside and a square with a burning plug
and socket, they were created for extinguishing fires created within
a computer, an appliance or a fuse box.
Class D
This kind of extinguisher was designed for flammable metals, like
sodium, magnesium or titanium. They have a yellow star with a D inside.
Class K
Although it’s also used for oils, this extinguisher was specially
created for commercial kitchens. It’s a rare kind of extinguisher
since it only has eight years in the market. Most restaurants still
use the Class B extinguisher.
