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Why are some types of fire extinguishers cannot distinguish a magnesium fire?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
A magnisium fire burns at a significantly higher temperature than a typical fire with other combustable materials. If a water extinguisher were to be used on a metal fire, the heat of the fire will cause the water to break down into its chemical constituants Hydrogen, and Oxygen (H2O), and instead of removing heat from the fire it will actually cause the fire to intensify due to the addition of fuel Hydrogen (H2) and an oxidizer Oxygen (O).
Other extinguishers can extinguish the fire, but again due to the extreme heat it will take significantly more agent to extinguish this type of fire than would be needed for a standard combustables fire. An extinguishing agent which is designed for use on a metal fire can withstand the extreme heat and will extinguish the fire by blanketing the burning metal and smothering the fire by depriving it of oxygen. Dry Sand for example would work well. There are other agents which could be used on this type of fire which extinguish the fire interfering with the fire's chemical reaction rather than smothering it.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBecause Magnesium burns so hot it actually breaks the molecular bond in water. Water (h2o) is comprised of hydrogen (2 parts) and oxygen (1 part). Hydrogen is EXTREMELY flammable (think hindenburg) and oxygen is essential to fire, so putting water on a magnesium fire actually fuels the fire.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBurning magnesium is usually extinguished by using a Class D dry chemical fire extinguisher.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoMagnesium is so reactive that it can burn using carbon dioxide just as well as it can with oxygen.
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What types of fire are ABC fire extinguishers designed to extinguish?
Ordinary combustibles, such as wood, cloth, paper, burning liquids such as gasoline, and fires in live electrical equipment. They are not for deep fat fryers (class K) nor for combustible metals such as magnesium (Class D fire).
Is organic salt a form of extinguisher?
Yes, some types of Class D fire extinguishers use NaCl (table salt) as an extinguishing agent for fires involving magnesium, sodium and potassium.
What are fire extinguishers be used for?
FIRE extinguishers are used to put out fire.
Class b fire extinguishers are for what types of fires?
liquids
What types of fire extinguishers are safe to use on electrical type fire?
Extinguishers with a Class C rating (C can be used on Currents)
What sort of fire extinguishers should we get if we live in a flat on the 12th floor?
There are several types of fire extinguishers that one should purchase that rely on their compact form and low weight such as Alert 5 Rechargeable fire extinguishers, and Tundra Tundra extinguishers.
Portable fire extinguishers are labeled for what purpose?
to put out fire In other words, because there are different types of fires there are different types of fire extinguishers. The label will tell you what type of fire it is designed for.
What is a class d extinguisher used for?
No, hence them being Class D fire extinguishers they are only used on combustible metal fires. there are different class d extinguishers as well for specific metal fires no one class d extinguisher on all metal fires mostly very specific
When and where are fire extinguisher used?
Fire extinguishers are used by businesses, homes and even firefighters to put out small fires. There are different types for use in locations where certain types of fires can occur, such as grease fire in a commercial kitchen, or fuel fire at the gas station or airport. Fire extinguishers can be large and on wheels (or even its own vehicle), or small and hand-carried. You can use a fire extinguisher on a fire but make sure it is used on the right type of fire as directed on extinguisher. One exception is when Magnesium is burning. Large amounts of magnesium on fire should be covered with sand or limestone. Water will not slow it down at all. Even CO2 is not efficient with magnesium as it burns with high temperature and reacts with many things when that hot. Specially prepared Class D fire extinguishers can be used on flaming metal fires, such as magnesium, lithium or titanium -- but you have to have one handy for it to be of any use.
Are there different types of fire extinguishers for a boat or can I use the same type as I have in my house?
There are different types of fire extinguishers. For a boat it would be best to get a portable type like those designed for use in automobiles.
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are designed for which fuel types?
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers can be used on Class B, C and E.
What are the UL types of fire extinguishers?
A- Burning material that leaves an ASH B- Burning liquids (liquids can BOIL) C- Electrical fires (CURRENT) D- Burning metals, such as magnesium (metals can DENT) K- Burning cooking fats (fires in the KITCHEN)
