What Are the Ingredients in a Fire Extinguisher?
In the midst of a fire, there is little time to think. Preparation is key, and having an escape plan can make the difference between life and death. The fire extinguisher, while not adequate for large fires, is extraordinarily helpful in preventing small fires from engulfing a house or workplace. For these fires, however, certain chemicals or ingredients determine the extinguisher's effectiveness. On every fire extinguisher, there is a label denoting the extinguishing agent used in it. Familiarize yourself with the extinguisher's contents before use. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types of Fire Extinguishers
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There are several different types of fire extinguishers, and the ingredients of each are specific to the fire the extinguisher puts out. The different fuel sources include ordinary combustibles, such as paper, trash, cloth and wood; these cause a Class A fire. Flammable liquids form a Class B fire, including oil, paint, thinners, grease and gasoline. Class C fires occur around live electrical equipment, and combustible metals cause Class D fires. Class K fires occur in kitchens; cooking oils and animal fats cause these fires.
Chemicals
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There are several chemicals used in fire extinguishers. The dry agent mono ammonium phosphate is used for A, B and C fires; it is corrosive, though, and requires cleanup very soon after spraying. Sodium bicarbonate is non-corrosive, requiring little cleanup, and is present in B and C fire extinguishers.
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Foam or Powder
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Chemicals come in different forms depending on the type of extinguisher. Some fire extinguishers spray foam over the burning area. Other extinguishers spray a fine powder over the fire. When the powder is sprayed, it covers the area with a blanket of non-reactive and non-flammable material. The result is that the area is unlikely to reignite. However, these powder and foam extinguishers can be rather messy, and the powder may irritate a person's throat and/or lungs.
Water
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The most common ingredient for fire extinguishers is water. It is used in conjunction with other chemicals and compounds to extinguish flames at their base. However, since water is conductive, it cannot be used with B and C fires because it would cause the fire to flare up. It is also not intended for use with Class K fires.
Carbon Dioxide
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The use of carbon dioxide in fire extinguishers is environmentally friendly. The carbon dioxide helps to remove oxygen from a fire, causing the fire to decrease and stop. While it does have limited efficiency, it leaves no mess. Users can spray it in theaters, computer rooms or other telecommunication areas with few problems.
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