Friday, May 15, 2009

When Is It Appropriate to Use Phone Fire Extinguishers?

By Howard Peters

Different fire extinguishers work only on specific types of fires. Therefore, a number of different types of fire extinguishers are needed to put out particular kinds of fire, depending on the fuel source involved. For example, there are fire extinguishers that use dry chemicals to put the fire out, fire extinguishers that use carbon dioxide, fire extinguishers that use water, and fire extinguishers that use foam. It's important to understand when a foam fire extinguisher is necessary to suppress the fire most effectively.

What are the main uses of foam fire extinguishers?

Most of the time, foam fire extinguishers are used to put out fires related to fuel sources. The phone provides a sort of "blanket" over the fuel source and stops oxygen from reaching the fuel so that it can no longer combust with the flame. When the fuel no longer has the oxygen available to combust with the flame, the fire goes out. This type of fire extinguisher is called a "foam fire extinguisher" precisely because foam is the extinguishing material used. One can also use foam fire extinguishers for other types of fires. Certain kinds of foam fire extinguishers are suitable for particular types of fuel sources.

Foam extinguishers and the fuel types they are good at putting out

If there is a good chance of a fire from fuel containing alcohol, you should use Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film Foaming Foams (AR-AFFF). These foams are specially designed so the alcohol in the fuel does not break down the foam barrier and allow the oxygen to reach the fuel. Another option for alcohol containing fuels is Film Forming Fluroprotein (FFFP). These foams contain either synthetic or animal byproducts that are ideal for containing fuels that produce very high temperatures. Because of their special abilities, FFFP can be used effectively in racing.

Former extinguishers are very good at smothering the vapors associated with fuel fires. One such good example of this is Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). These are among the most common types of extinguishers on the market, but they are somewhat risky because they pose particular health dangers to people. They contain chemicals that can build up in the human system, and they're also toxic to the environment. As yet, these detrimental effects are not known. Because of the danger inherent in this type of system, though, a safer alternative is a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) extinguisher, which is also effective for fuel fires and for ordinary combustible Class A fires, too.

Both Class A and Class B fires (those related to combustible fuels) also work with a foaming agent called FireAde. This agent is effective because it works in two ways. It makes the flammable liquids nonflammable, and it also cools the materials' high temperatures. FireAde will also work with Class D fires in some cases, but it should be noted that these fires may actually be made worse with FireAde when they contain burning metal.

With Class D fires, your best choice for a fire extinguisher is Arctic Fire. This fire extinguisher is a foam fire extinguisher, and is often part of fire suppression strategy for the steel industry. Arctic Fire works by reducing surface materials' temperature and also prevents the fire from being sustained. Arctic Fire can also put out both Class A and Class B fires.

If you select the most appropriate fire extinguisher for the particular situation, both your building in your possessions will be better protected.

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