Do you know what type of fire extinguisher you should use in the event of a fire? This knowledge can be essential in a fire emergency and help you reduce the fire spreading. Read on to learn more about what fire extinguishers should be used in confined spaces.
What are the different types of fire extinguishers?
There are five main types of fire extinguishers to help combat the spread of different fires. The people using the spaces must know how each fire extinguisher works should they be required to use it.
The different fire extinguishers are;
- co2
- Water
- Foam
- Wet Chemical
- Dry Powder
What is a fire extinguisher not to use in a confined space?
The thing to note when using a fire extinguisher in a confined space is how safe it is. For this reason, using a co2 (carbon monoxide) extinguisher in confined spaces isn’t advised. This is because using co2 can help reduce the amount of oxygen in the air, which can be harmful. While co2 extinguishers are ideal for electrical fires, if you are in a confined space, it is advisable to use dry powder fire extinguishers instead.
If you are in a confined space with a non-electrical fire, you can also use foam and water-based fire extinguishers.
How to use a co2 fire extinguisher
A co2 fire extinguisher is for electrical and Class B fires (flammable liquids, e.g. oils, petrol). When using a co2 fire extinguisher, you need to ensure you have the space to use it safely, as they are not recommended for confined spaces and follow the instructions below.
- Pull out the safety pin to break the tamper seal (usually a little yellow tag)
- Squeeze the lever to discharge the extinguisher. It will emit a loud noise – this is entirely normal.
- Avoid holding the horn, as it can get very cold.
- Aim the fire extinguisher. If it is an electrical fire, aim directly at the fire. If it is a flammable liquid, aim the horn at the base of the fire and move across to avoid splashing the liquid with powerful jets.
A co2 fire extinguisher has a short spray time, so you need to cover as much of the fire as possible to ensure it is out, as it can easily ignite if you aren’t paying attention.
What fire extinguisher should I use for the deep-fat fryer?
Water-based fire extinguishers will only worsen the fire when dealing with hot cooking oils. In this scenario, you need to be using wet chemical fire extinguishers. They should be placed within easy reach of the location of the deep fat fryer, whether in a home setting or commercial premises.
What is a wet chemical fire extinguisher?
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are used for cooking oils and can help to extinguish fires safely. As the hot oil will react differently and be more volatile, the wet chemical extinguishers come with a longer lance to allow safe deployment of the contents to avoid getting burnt from the oil. These types of fires are Class F fires.
The chemical element in these fire extinguishers is potassium. Potassium salts are spread out as fine mist and leave a foamy coating on the fire and oil. This foam smothers the fire and leaves a cooling effect to cool the oil after a fire further.
Ensuring you have the right type of fire extinguishers for your property can help you safely to control fires while waiting for emergency services.