FIRE EXTINGUISHER

A fire extinguisher is fire safety equipment used to overcome small fires in case of an emergency. It is not suitable to deal with out of control fire which spread in a large area. In the case of big combustion, the fire brigade is recommended.

REFILING OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER

As we always see fire extinguishers around us so we tend to think that they are always waiting and ready for use anytime in case of an emergency, so we are wrong. Because if they are not properly maintained and having their services and refilling time to time so they not just useless, but can harm you at the time of emergency.

REFIL IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE OR LEAKED

Fire extinguisher needs to get refilled immediately after every use. Even if it does not get completely empty after use. fire extinguisher needs refill and inspection if it gets leak or gets damaged.

REFILL PERIODICALLY

Fire extinguisher needs to get charge periodically. if the extinguisher is not in use even then it needs to get charge periodically or according to the inspection. The most common dry chemical fire extinguisher needs internal examination and recharging in six and twelve years from its manufacture date mention on the extinguisher.

immediately.

RECHARGE DUE TO DAMAGE

Fire extinguisher become depressurize if get damaged or sometimes due to environmental factors, so they must get internally examined and refill throughout its life

You can contact your local fire department or much Better is to consider a certified fire extinguisher repair company or technicians.

In simple, all kinds of foam, powder, water, or wet chemical extinguisher should be discharged, tested, and refill after every five years. If your fire extinguisher is indicated in the red zone so it needs to get service.

PROCESS OF REFILLING FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Refilling or recharging the fire extinguisher must be performed by a trained and professional person. It is recommended to go to authentic fire safety companies because they have proper tools, trained technicians and employees, and complete knowledge to ensure that they refilled your fire extinguisher properly with the correct extinguishing agent.

COMPLETELY EMPTY

Steps followed to recharge or refill the fire extinguisher are as following.

First of all the extinguisher should get completely depressurized. All the agent should remove from the cylinder and make it empty.

REMOVE, CLEAN, AND REPLACE SOME PARTS

The discharge valve and siphon tube from the valve and the valve stem and spring are removed. Then clean the valve by a technician and replace the valve neck o ring and inspect that the unit is not damaged. To avoid future pressure loss new valve stems installed.

CORRECT EXTINGUISHING AGENT AND WEIGHT

The technician must select the correct extinguishing agent(water, carbon dioxide, dry powder, etc). It is refilled according to the weight and size which is specified in the instruction of that unit.

Re-pressurize with the pressurizing gas according to the required pressure for that unit.

LEAK TEST

After refilling the technician perform a leak test to ensure that the unit is not leaking gas from any side, then reinstalled the discharge hose.

RE-WEIGHT AND NEW SEAL

The extinguisher is re-weighted to confirm the weight instructed by a manufacturer. A new tamper seal and recharge tag is attached to the unit.

The tag indicates the total weight and the identity of the technician who completes the work 

CLASSES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Four classes of fire extinguisher have been used to put out different types of fire.

• CLASS A: This class of fire extinguisher will put out fires in normal combustibles such as wood and paper
• CLASS B: This class of fire extinguisher is used on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, or oil
• CLASS C: This class of fire extinguisher is only acceptable to use on electrically energized fire
• CLASS D: This class of extinguisher is designed for use on flammable metals

Some multipurpose fire extinguishers are also designed to be used on different types of fire and have a label of more than one class like A-B, B-C, or A-B-C. 

TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Fire occurs from the combination of three elements which are heat, oxygen, and fuel. There are different types of fire extinguishers. Every extinguisher does not extinguish every element of fire.

WATER AND FOAM

A water extinguisher is used to extinguish class A fires only, they should not be used for class B and C fires. This type of extinguisher extinguishes the fire by taking away the heating element from fire. The foam agents separate the oxygen element from the foretriangle.

CARBON DIOXIDE

Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the oxygen element and also remove the heat with a very cold discharge. This type of fire extinguisher can be used on Class B & C fires. They are usually useless on Class A fires

DRY CHEMICAL

Dry chemical is the multipurpose fire extinguisher which is effective on class A, B, and C fires. It creates the banner between the two elements oxygen and fuel in class A fire. Dry chemical fire extinguisher interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire triangle to extinguish the fire

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WET CHEMICAL

The wet chemical is an agent to extinguish the fire by taking away the heating element and prevent combustion by creating the barrier between oxygen and fuel elements.

CLEAN AGENT

Clean agent extinguisher includes the halon agent in it. It also includes newer and less ozone depleting halocarbon agents. Clean agent extinguisher interrupts chemical reaction and removes heat from the fire triangle to extinguish the fire. These are effective on class A, B, and C fires

DRY POWDER

Dry Powder extinguishers extinguish the fire by separating thefuel from the oxygen element or by removing the heating element. Dry powder extinguisher is designed only for class D fires. They are not effective in any other class of fire

WATER MIST

Water mist extinguishers are mainly designed for class A fires but are also safe to use on class C fire as well. It extinguishes the fire by taking away the heating element from the fire triangle.

CARTRIDGE OPERATED DRY CHEMICAL

Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical fire extinguishers are the multipurpose dry chemical is effective on Class A, B, and C fires, it extinguishes the fire by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. This extinguisher also works by creating barriers between oxygen and fuel elements of class A fire.

WHEN TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

• First of all, remember that fire spread very quickly. If you want to use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire so you just have few seconds because fire takes less than one minute to tripled its original size.
• Before using a fire extinguisher. Alert all the members in your home about the fire. Assure your safety. The fire should not between you and your safety route when using a fire extinguisher.
• Judge yourself that you are physically able to handle fire extinguishers because many types of equipment are heavy and difficult to carry at the same time.
• Use a fire extinguisher if you already have the knowledge of operating it. You will not get the time to read the instructions at the time of an emergency.
• If your escape route is getting risky while using a fire extinguisher, immediately leave the affected area and wait for the firefighter department
• If you are not sure about using a fire extinguisher, so do not put yourself in trouble by trying it. Leave and escape.

HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

P.A.S.S technique is used to operate a fire extinguisher.

PULL: There is a pin and temper seal at the top of fire extinguisher. Pull that pin, it will also break the tamper seal

AIM: Aim low and point your fire extinguisher hose at the base of the fire. Be careful when using Co2 extinguisher, it’s plastic discharge hose gets very good and can damage your skin

SQUEEZE: Squeeze the handle, it will release the fire extinguisher agent

SWEEP: sweep crosswise at the base of a fire until it completely extinguishes. If it starts burning again repeat step 2

CAN FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXPLODE

There are rare cases of the explosion of fire extinguishers but they do. Research says that heat or maintenance of fire extinguisher and the failure of the pressure relief disc and becomes the reason for the explosion.

WHERE FIRE EXTINGUISHER SHOULD BE LOCATED

Fire extinguishers should be located everywhere at a visible, secure, and easily accessible place to avoid danger at the time of an emergency. It must be installed not more than 30 to 50 feet away. A fire extinguisher should be mounted on the walls usually 3 to 5 feet above the floor to protect it from moving or get damaged. 

CAN FIRE EXTINGUISHER BE USED ON A PERSON

It has a risk for eyes and skin irritation or mild respiratory, but if the fire extinguisher is used properly for helping someone, it is safe to use. Using the fore extinguisher to harm someone can cause serious toxicity and required medical evaluation

WHEN TO REPLACE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Always check the expiry date on the fire extinguisher. It must be written on or hidden under the plastic ring around the neck of the cylinder. A fire extinguisher should be replaced every 10 to 12 years. It may get a risk of using it after this time period. REMEMBER never put your life in danger by using an expired or damaged fire extinguisher.