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Actually water IS used as a fire extinguisher - but not for all fires. Fire extinguishers are categorized by the "class" of fire they are intended to extinguish.
In the USA (other regions have different classification schemes):
Class A extinguishers are often (but not always) just water under pressure and are intended to extinguish fires where solid organic materials such as wood or paper are burning.
Class B extinguishers are designed to put out burning liquid fires like oil, grease, gasoline, industrial solvents, etc. CO2 and foam are often used in these extinguishers. Water is not suitable because it would tend to just spread the liquid around and the burning liquid would float on top of the water and continue to burn. Even so, firefighters will often spray water over huge burning liquid fires (as a spray or mist) to cool things down and inhibit the spread of the fire to nearby flammable structures.
Class C extinguishers are designed to fight electrical fires. The problem with using water in these extinguishers should be apparent - the water would conduct the electricity and increase the hazard not to mention causing additional shorting which can destroy other electrical equipment not involved in the fire.
Class D extinguishers are designed to fight burning metal fires. Since many metals react with water to give off other flammable gases, pouring water on them is hardly a good solution. As an example - when pure sodium is placed into water it bursts into flames and give off Hydrogen gas.
There is also a Class K extinguisher that is intended for grease and oil fires such as might flare up in a pan in a kitchen. they overlap the Class B extinguishers somewhat.
What else can I help you with?
What does carbon dioxide do in a soda acid fire extinguisher?
It is the propellant used to force water out of the extinguisher.
What puts out a fire faster water or a fire 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.
What is the fire extinguishers co 2 used for?
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.
What type of extinguisher should 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.
How are fire extinguisher distinguished?
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.
What type of fire extinguisher should be used on an electrical fires?
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.
Fire extinguisher for paper?
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.
What is loaded stream fire extinguisher?
A water fire extinguisher with an anti-freeze charge added to it.
What category is suitable for a fire extinguisher?
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.
What type of fire extinguisher is used on a gasoline fire?
You need to use a Class B extinguisher on flammable liquids.
What is class c fire extinguisher is used for?
A class C fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires. A all purpose A, B, C extinguisher can also be used.
What can be used to put out a fire?
Fire extinguisher
