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What else can I help you with?
Would fire extinguishers that produce carbon dioxide gas be more effective for fighting ground fires or ceiling fires?
Ground fires. CO2 is heavier than our air and would therefore fall to the ground when released.
Where can I take Fire Extinguisher Training online?
It is very important to know the proper way to use a fire extinguisher. If you would like to learn the ABC's of fire extinguishers, you should go here: http://www.fireextinguisher.com/ This interactive and thorough website will teach you all about fire extinguishers and what types of extinguishers you should use on certain types of fires. The site is very in depth.
Is safety equipment like fire extinguishers and fire blankets used to prevent accidents?
No, not really. Fire extinguishers and fire blankets are used to stop fires. The "accident" would have already occurred, starting the fire.
What can water fire extinguishers be used for?
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.
Which type of fire extinguisher would you recommend for fires involving wood, paper, and fabric?
For fires involving wood, paper, and fabric, I would recommend using a Class A fire extinguisher. These extinguishers are designed to put out fires involving ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, and fabric.
What are dry extinguishers designed to do?
ALL fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires. A Dry extinguisher uses a powder or gas rather than a liquid, and cuts off the oxygen to the fire. They can be used in freezing conditions where a water type extinguisher would be useless.
Where would you use a foam fire extinguisher?
"foam" fire extinguishers are made for hydrocarbon fires...i.e: gasoline, diesel, etc. These fires are considered class "b" (flammable liquids), and are mostly used by professionals and in commercial and industrial settings. These extinguishers are charged with anther AFFF, FFFP, or AR-AFFF, however, these class of extinguishers are only rated class A & B fires and are hazardous to the environment, humans and animals in addition to being very corrosive.
What are dry fire extinguishers designed to do?
ALL fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires. A Dry extinguisher uses a powder or gas rather than a liquid, and cuts off the oxygen to the fire. They can be used in freezing conditions where a water type extinguisher would be useless.
Why is water not used as fire extinguisher?
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 type of fire extinguishers is adequate for fighting petroleum fires?
Since petroleum is a flammable liquid, a Class B fire extinguisher would be used.
How do different fire extinguishers put out fires?
One group of fire extinguishers works by separating oxygen from the fire, for example by placing a non-flammable powder over the flame source. This works well for some grease fires. Another group of fire extinguishers works by displacing oxygen; fires will only burn most materials with atmospheric concentrations of oxygen above around 10%. These extinguishers use CO2 or nitrogen or Halon (tm) to displace the oxygen. This often works well around electrical fires. The technique is used around equipment that water or powders might destroy. Another type of extinguisher propels water at the fire, sometimes using pressure created when acid contacts a base like soda. The water cools the burning material to below the combustion point, and the water vapor helps displace oxygen that would feed the fire. This works well with wood and paper fires.
There are several types of fire extinguishers on the market ... could you tell me which one would be best for home use?
Because there are so many possible different kinds of fires in a home you are best to get an extinguisher with at least an ABC class rating. These ratings are for different types of fires.
