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It is the propellant used to force water out of the extinguisher.
Trick question, if the fire extinguisher is full of water, such as a Class 2A. However, a fire extinguisher is designed to put out a small fire quicker than anyone can respond with a hose and a water supply. Unfortunately, many fires react violently when water is applied to them, so a different type of fire extinguisher must be used.
The carbon dioxide fire extinguisher can be used on electrical fires, where there is a danger of an electrical shock if a soda water extinguisher was used.
A water-type or water-based foam type of extinguisher should not be used on an electrical fire because water and foam are electrical conductors and could result in electrocution of the person using the extinguisher or anyone stepping in the water.
What 'type' the fire is. The right extinguisher must be used for any fire. Or, more importantly - it can be very dangerous to use the wrong type of extinguisher, such as one with water should never be used on an electrical fire.
A water-type or water-based foam type of extinguisher should not be used on an electrical fire because water and foam are electrical conductors and could result in electrocution of the person using the extinguisher or anyone stepping in the water.
A soda water extinguisher can be used on a fire of paper. Or use a carbon dioxide extinguisher if you don't want water damage, or if there is anything electrical that can cause a shock. Use foam on oils and flammable liquids.
There are several categories of fire extinguishers. It depends on where the extinguisher is likely to be used and on what type of fire is to be expected. For example: a soda and water extinguisher is commonly used for general type fires. But, due to the risk of being electrocuted, a soda and water extinguisher would be dangerous to use round high voltage electrical equipment - so a carbon dioxide extinguisher would be used instead. On oil fires, a foam extinguisher would be best, as a soda water extinguisher would simply spread the area of the oil fire, and even increase the intensity of the flames, while the foam would smother the flames, cutting off the oxygen to feed the fire.
You need to use a Class B extinguisher on flammable liquids.
to spray water; either as a fire extinguisher, or for watering lawns and fields.
Fire extinguisher
A class C fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires. A all purpose A, B, C extinguisher can also be used.