Fire Extinguisher

Fire Extinguisher

» For combustion to take place, three essential requirements are fuel (combustible substance), air (to supply oxygen), and ignition temperature.

» Fire can be controlled by removing one or more of these requirements.

» The job of a fire extinguisher is to cut off the supply of air or to bring down the temperature of the fuel or both.

Type of Fire Extinguisher
• Water as Fire Extinguisher
• Soda-acid Fire Extinguishers
• Foams Extinguishers
• Electrical Fire Extinguishers

Water as Fire Extinguisher

The most common fire extinguisher is water. But water works only when things like wood and paper are on fire.

Soda-acid Fire Extinguishers

These are used to extinguish fire caused by oil burning. These release carbon dioxide and also cool the burning substance. Carbon dioxide is the best extinguisher because it is heavier than oxygen, and it covers the fire like a blanket. As the contact between the fuel and oxygen is cut off, the fire is controlled.

Foams Extinguishers

These are used in case of burning oils. Foam is lighter than oil, so it rests on the oil surface and cuts off the supply of oxygen.

Electrical Fire Extinguishers

Water and foam conduct electricity, so these cannot be used in case of electrical fire. Carbon tetrachloride is heavier than air, non-combustible, and non-supporter of combustion, so it is used as an electrical fire extinguisher.