Types of fire extinguishers and their uses

Fire extinguishers are one of the most important safety tools that must be available in all places, whether homes, offices, or industrial and commercial facilities.

This is because they constitute the first line of defense against sudden fires before they spread and become more dangerous. There are many types of fire extinguishers, and each type of fire extinguisher differs based on the type of burning materials.

In this article, we will learn about the different types of fire extinguishers and how to use them effectively to ensure the protection of people and property, from the United Group Company, the exclusive agent for the Emirati company Watex in Egypt.

Fire extinguisher components

United Group Company offers a range of different types of approved fire extinguishers, such as water extinguishers, foam, extinguishing powder, halogen hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, as all extinguishers are manufactured. With tanks Steel with continuous welding and radiation control with the application of a quality control system in accordance with IOS 900 standards, in this paragraph we will explain to you the components of fire extinguishers for each type:

• Powder fire extinguishers
  • It consists of a structure made of pressurized steel sheets containing inert gas or dehumidified air under a pressure of up to 12 bar (at a temperature of 20 °C).
  • These extinguishers contain a chemical powder consisting of potassium bicarbonate for use with Class C and B fires, or they consist of a mixture of ammonium sulfate and monoammonium phosphate for use with Class A, B, and C fires.
• Wet chemical fire extinguishers
  • This type of fire extinguisher is specifically designed to deal with Class F (sixth degree) fires, which include cooking oils and fats. It can also be used to combat Class A fires (first degree), but it is ineffective with Class C and B fires (second and third degree).

These extinguishers are distinguished by their unique ability to extinguish cooking oil and heavy fat fires and are unparalleledly effective compared to any other type of fire extinguisher.

• Water fire extinguishers
  • It consists of a cylinder made of corrosion-resistant steel sheets, and contains water as an extinguishing agent. These extinguishers are usually permanently pressurized or filled with gas, or they may be used through a hole in the cylinder containing carbon dioxide.

Water extinguishers are mainly used to put out Class A (first class) fires. The extinguisher content is usually a mixture of water and additional materials instead of just pure water. These additives work to enhance the effect of water and increase its ability to put out fires by improving its distribution and expanding its coverage.

• Foam fire extinguishers
  • Foam extinguishers are among the most widely used types of fire extinguishers. Foam fire extinguishers consist of a tank made of corrosion-resistant steel sheets, containing foam liquid diluted in water in proportions ranging from 3 to 10%. The pressure of the extinguisher can be constant or it can be increased when in use thanks to a cylinder. A small device containing carbon dioxide, which is emptied when needed by being pierced with a metal needle connected to a valve system.

Foam extinguishers are effectively used to put out Class A and B fires. They are particularly common in the shipbuilding industry. However, their use should be avoided on electrical control panels or in Class D (fourth class) fires, as well as with chemicals that interact with water.

• Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers
  • Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are suitable for extinguishing Class C, B (second and third class) fires thanks to the inert gas and electrical insulating properties. According to firefighting rules, they should be installed near electrical panels due to their ability to extinguish fires without causing additional damage to electrical appliances.

Types of fire extinguishers and their uses

different types of fire extinguishers can be divided based on the material used to extinguish the fire. Here are the main types:

• Foam extinguishers: They contain organic materials that produce foam consisting of a mixture of water, air and carbon dioxide.
• Carbon dioxide extinguishers: They contain compressed carbon dioxide gas.
• Water extinguishers: They contain pressurized water using an inert gas.
• Dry powder extinguishers: They contain dry chemical powder.

You can visit our website to take a look at the types of fire extinguishers and their uses with pictures through BDF United Company.

How to use a fire extinguisher?

• Foam extinguishers
  • It is used to put out fires caused by flammable liquids such as oils and fuel, but it is not suitable for electrical fires because it conducts electricity.
• Carbon dioxide extinguishers
  • Effective in extinguishing electrical appliance fires and petroleum fires, but it is not suitable For fires Resulting from some materials such as paper and wood.
• Water extinguishers
  • Suitable for extinguishing fires caused by solid materials such as paper, wood, and fabrics, but it cannot be used in fires caused by oils.
• Dry powder extinguishers
  • It can be used in solid, liquid, and gaseous fires, as well as electrical fires, but it may cause some damage to electrical devices due to powder accumulation.

 

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Fire extinguisher expiry date

Fire extinguishers have a shelf life that depends on each type of fire extinguisher, but the period usually ranges between 10 to 15 years from the date of manufacture. There are several factors that may affect the shelf life of fire extinguishers, such as the following: 

• Type of extinguisher: Some types, such as carbon dioxide extinguishers, may be less susceptible to damage, while water or dry powder extinguishers need regular inspection and maintenance.
• Regular maintenance: Extinguishers must undergo inspection and maintenance every year to ensure their efficient operation in emergency situations.
• Storage: Storage conditions such as humidity and temperature may affect the life of virtual extinguishers.

There are several signs that indicate that fire extinguishers have expired and indicate the need to replace them. The most prominent of these signs are the following:

• Damage to its external appearance: such as the appearance of corrosion, rust, cracks in the extinguisher, or any damage that affects its efficiency.
• Low pressure: When checking the extinguisher, if the pressure is lower than the recommended level, it may indicate that there is a leak in the materials.
• Exceeding the expiration date: When the expiration date specified by the manufacturer expires, the extinguisher may lose its effectiveness.

Contact us now through phone numbers or through our website if you are looking for the best maintenance companies for all types of fire extinguishers.

Bavaria fire box price

If you are looking for the price of a Bavaria fire box, the United Group Company is the exclusive agent for the Emirati company Watex and the largest. fire pumps suppliers in Egypt, offers its customers Bavaria fire box with high quality and competitive price in the Egyptian market.

This box is designed with the latest manufacturing technologies to ensure durability and high efficiency in emergency situations, in addition to reasonable prices that fit the customers' budget.

Bavaria Fund is suitable for companies and institutions that seek to maintain safety standards and save lives from fires at the highest level. You can contact us through phone numbers to find out all the details about our products and the different types of fire extinguishers.

What gas is used to extinguish a fire?

The gas widely used in extinguishing fires is carbon dioxide (CO2), because it is characterized by being a non-flammable gas and also not a conductor of electricity, which makes it ideal when extinguishing fires resulting from electrical equipment or flammable liquids such as oils.

Carbon dioxide gas works to extinguish the fire by suffocating the oxygen present around the fire, which prevents the combustion process from continuing. It is also distinguished by the fact that it is used in portable fire extinguishers and in large fire extinguishing systems that are installed in buildings in order to protect equipment such as electronics and sensitive places from damage resulting from The fire.

Fire network installation companies

Considered United Company The group is the exclusive and sole agent for the Emirati company Watex, one of the best fire network installation companies in Egypt, as it provides the best types of fire extinguishers that work to protect facilities from the danger of fire in emergency situations.

United Group Company is distinguished by its long experience in designing and implementing fire extinguishing systems in accordance with the highest international standards such as NFPA. United Group Company provides installation services for various types of fire systems, such as sprinkler systems, gas systems, and early warning systems.

This is done using the latest technologies to ensure the efficiency and safety of the system. The company is also committed to providing competitive prices and after-sales service. Just contact us through phone numbers to get the best products from different types of fire extinguishers.

Read more about: co2 fire suppression system