Fire extinguishers are a normal picture in different building in different country. However, a number of us know exactly how to use it. Even the different types of fire extinguishers and the different purposes which is why it is used are known to very less people. Different types of catastrophes can happen in a building out of which a fire break out is the most common one. Hence, it is important that we know at least some basic details of an appliance that is so commonly seen around us.
So what exactly is a fire extinguisher?
It is device that is used to control small fires that doesn't really reach up to the hall and has gone out of control. It is normally a cylindrical vessel that contains an extinguishing agent that is personally dropped at the time of fire. It is normally meant to clear escape channels in the time of fire.
What is the story behind a fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher as we notice now came after having a long advancement from its most ancient form that was of Ambrose Godfrey in the first half of the 18th century which was not portable but slipped into a space. The ancestor of the extinguisher as we see now was invented by George Manby which he called then as "extincteur". This extinguisher was made of a portable container filled with potassium carbonate solution and folded gas. As years went on, there were different kinds of other extinguishers like soda-acid fire extinguisher, chemical foam fire extinguisher, carbon dioxide tetra chloride extinguisher, and finally the modern day extinguisher that we find around us now.
How do we select an extinguisher?
Fire extinguishers are chosen based on the type of fire. Thus we find Class A, B, C, D and F. Fire is generally divided into different classes based on its source and intensity. recarga de extintores Here are a few exactly each:
• Class A : Class A fire extinguishers are for extinguishing fire caught on ordinary materials like card board, wood, paper, etc. There is a mathematical value on these extinguishers that indicates how much liquid it holds and how much fire it can extinguish.
• Class B : Class B is the fire that is caused by oil, grease, kerosene, etc. On these extinguishers the number represents the area of fire space it can extinguish.
• Class C : These extinguishers control fire that is caused by electrical appliances, wirings and rounds breakers. These do not have any numbers attached to them.
• Class D : This is for fire caused by combustible substances like sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc. This is mainly used in chemical laboratories.
• Class F : This is for fire caused by cooking oil and deep far fryers mainly used in kitchens of restaurants and food manufacturing producers.
Where do you place a fire extinguisher?
Fire extinguishers are typically placed according to what type of fire might occur in an area and how soon it can cause break down. For example, in the case of Class A form of fire the extinguisher is put in this manner that a person shouldn't move more than 75 feet away to get the extinguisher. In the case of Class B, it is placed not more than 50 feet away.
How do you maintain a fire extinguisher?
There are different facets for maintaining an extinguisher.
• First of all, it has to be one that is checked and tested by qualified professionals at the time of purchase.
• It has to be guaranteed that the extinguisher is put at the required distance always.
• For refillable chemical extinguishers, they have to be emptied and filled every six years.
• The testing process should be done every month.
• Damaged extinguishers have to be replaced immediately.
• More than anything else, many people in the building should have investigate instructions given with the extinguisher.
Extinguishers were previously used only in commercial buildings and apartment buildings. However, now they are noticed in individual homes as well. In fact, it is recommended to be used in homes as a fire breakout is possible there too.