Foam fire extinguishers can be used on both class A and class B fires, however they must be utilized in various ways depending on the type of fire. Please note that only di-electrically tested foam extinguishers should be used on or near live electrical equipment.
Only use an extinguisher to put out tiny fires. If the fire has spread, do not attempt to extinguish it; instead, escape quickly and alert others, then call the fire department. If you do decide to fight the fire, keep a safe distance and follow the recommendations below.
- Pull the safety pin (Fig. 3) to break the tamper seal as well.
- To start discharging the extinguisher, squeeze the lever.
- Where should the fire extinguisher nozzle be pointed?
- Flammable liquids: Aim the hose at a vertical surface near the fire rather than directly at it, as this could cause the burning liquid to splash and the fire to spread. Foam extinguishers create a layer of foam on the burning liquid’s surface, cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply and cooling the hot liquid.
- Electrical fires: You can use your foam extinguisher on active electrical fires if it has been tested to 35000 Volts (35kV). Maintain a safe distance of 1 meter.
- Solid combustibles: Aim the nozzle towards the fire’s base and move it around the area.
- Make sure the fire is completely out; the foam acts as a covering over the flames, preventing it from re-igniting.
Can electrical fires be put out with foam tire extinguishers?
To answer your questions,
An electric fire can be extinguished with a foam fire extinguisher. Foam fire extinguishers put out a significant amount of foam directly on the flames. This obstructs the fire’s ability to get oxygen. As a result, the fire is extinguished rapidly.
Class A
Ordinary flammable materials, such as fabric, wood, paper, rubber, and many polymers, are involved in Class A fires. A-rated fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires involving these common flammable materials.
Class B
Liquids that are flammable and combustible, such as gasoline, alcohol, oil-based paints, and lacquers, are used in Class B fires. As a result, B-rated extinguishers are designed to put out flames involving flammable and combustible substances.
Note: Do not attempt to put out a combustible gas fire unless you have reasonable certainty that the source of fuel can be turned off quickly. In fact, if the only fuel burning is the leaking gas, shutting off the fuel supply is the best way to put out the fire. Extinguishing a combustible gas fire without turning off the fuel can allow unburned gas to escape into the atmosphere, potentially resulting in a dangerous gas accumulation and an explosion if the gas is exposed to an ignition source.
Class D
Combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, and sodium are used in Class D flames. D-rated extinguishers are meant to put out fires involving flammable metals.
Note: When used on a combustible metal fire, common extinguishing products may react, increasing the severity of the fire. The most frequent way to put out a combustible metal fire is to cover it with a dry powder, such as sand, that won’t react with it. Contact the Fire Prevention Services office if you store or use combustible metals for advice on the type and amount of extinguishing chemical you should keep on hand.
Class K
Cooking appliances using vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats cause Class K fires. Extinguishers with a K grade are meant to put out flames in industrial cooking appliances containing vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats.
Note: Where deep-fryers and/or griddles are used to make large quantities of food, extinguishers with a K rating are usually necessary. A commercial kitchen, such as those seen in restaurants and cafeterias, is an example.
Multipurpose Extinguishers
Most portable fire extinguishers are rated for use with multiple types of fire. Extinguishers with a BC rating, for example, are appropriate for fires involving flammable liquids and powered electrical equipment. Ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and energized electrical equipment can all be extinguished using an ABC-rated extinguisher. Each hazard type should be represented by a symbol on an extinguisher rated for usage with multiple hazards.
What should a foam fire extinguisher not be used for?
Cooking fires containing oil and grease, such as chip pan fires, should not be extinguished with a foam fire extinguisher. Fires involving flammable gases, such as butane and methane, are classified as Class C and cannot be extinguished with a foam fire extinguisher.
Water extinguishers
Water extinguishers are one of the most cost-effective ways to put out Class A fires, which are ones that are started by solid materials like paper, wood, or textiles.
Water extinguishers come in four varieties: water jet, water spray, water with additives, and water mist or fog.
- Water jet extinguishers cool the burning materials and prevent re-ignition by shooting a jet of water at them. They are not to be utilized near live electrical equipment.
- Water spray extinguishers use an extremely fine mist of water droplets that are surrounded by non-conductive air. Most water spray fire extinguishers have passed a 35 kV dielectric test, which implies they were tested at one meter with a 35,000 volt electrical source.
- Water extinguishers with additives are those that have foaming chemicals added to them. The water loses its natural surface tension, making it easier for it to seep into the burning materials. Because the chemicals are mixed into the water, a smaller extinguisher can achieve the same fire rating as a larger extinguisher that uses simply water.
- Extinguishers that use water mist, or fog, apply water in the form of mist, or fog, with much smaller droplets than a water spray extinguisher. The smaller the droplet, the larger its surface area in relation to its size, the faster it evaporates, absorbing heat energy more quickly. The disadvantage is that the smaller the droplet, the less it weights, and hence the weaker the water cloud.
Foam extinguishers
On Class A and B fires, foam fire extinguishers can be used. They’re best for putting out liquid fires like gasoline or diesel, but they’re more versatile than water jet extinguishers because they can also put out solid fires like wood and paper. Liquid fires are extinguished by foam by sealing the liquid’s surface, preventing flammable vapour from reaching the air and starving the fire of fuel. They should not be used on free-flowing liquid fires.
Powder extinguishers
Powder extinguishers are a versatile fire extinguisher that may be used to put out Class A, B, and C flames. They can also be used to put out flames caused by electrical equipment, but they do not cool the fire down enough for it to re-ignite. Powder extinguishers can also reduce visibility and cause breathing difficulties. They are normally not suggested for usage inside buildings unless there is no other option.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers (CO2)
Because CO2 extinguishers are safe to use on fires involving electrical apparatus, they are suitable for settings with a lot of electrical equipment, such as offices or server rooms. Unlike foam extinguishers, carbon dioxide extinguishers do not leave any residue. They can also be used to put out Class B fires, which are ones that involve flammable substances like paraffin or gasoline. CO2 extinguishers put out fires by suffocating them and cutting off their oxygen supply.
Wet chemical extinguishers
Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, such as lard, olive oil, sunflower oil, maize oil, and butter, can be put out with wet chemical extinguishers. When used correctly, they are incredibly effective. The wet chemical quickly extinguishes the flames, cools the burning oil, and reacts chemically to generate a soap-like solution that seals the surface and prevents re-ignition. Although they are primarily intended for use on Class F fires, cooking oils, and deep fat fryers, they can also be used on other types of fires. They can also be used on Class A and Class B flames (wood, paper, and fabrics) (flammable liquids).
Fire blankets
Fire blankets are designed to be used on hot oil fires, such as those found in frying pans or tiny deep fat fryers. They can also be used to put out a fire in someone’s clothing. They function by suffocating the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply that fuels it, and finally extinguishing it.
Which fire extinguisher should not be used in the event of an electrical fire?
All commercial and residential buildings are required to have fire extinguishers. They’re used to put out tiny fires or control them. Extinguishers must be properly placed and easily accessible in the event of an emergency.
However, in the stress of a fire, knowing which fire extinguisher to use on a fire might be challenging. Water, powder, foam, CO2, and wet chemical are the five primary types of extinguishers. Depending on the sort of fire that has erupted, each extinguisher has a different application. Here’s a rundown of the main types of extinguishers and how to use them.
A white label that says “water fire extinguisher” is frequently attached to a water fire extinguisher “WATER, WATER, WATER. Water fire extinguishers have a class A rating and can be used to put out fires made of wood, paper, or cloth. Water fire extinguishers are not ideal for electrical fires since water is a conductor, and if used on this type of fire, you risk electrocution. They are also not ideal for combustible liquid or metal fires because they will not put out the flames. A water extinguisher used to put out a flammable liquid fire may spread the liquid about, potentially causing more harm than good and exacerbating the fire. Water extinguishers are advised for warehouses, paper mills, and storage facilities that contain huge amounts of combustible materials.
A blue label that states “powder fire extinguisher” can be used to identify a powder fire extinguisher “POWDER, TO BE EXACT. Powder extinguishers can be used to put out fires in wood, paper, and cloth. They can also be used to extinguish combustible liquid, gaseous, and electrical fires. Powder extinguishers CANNOT be used to put out flames involving cooking oil (such as pan fires), electrical equipment with a voltage more than 1000 volts, fires in enclosed places, or fires with combustible metals ” (unless it is a “specialist dry powder extinguisher). Powder extinguishers are indicated for large-scale outdoor fires involving chemicals, fuels, or even cars. They’re ideal for huge commercial boiler rooms, large workshops, and hazardous liquid storage facilities.
A cream-colored label that reads “Foam Extinguisher” distinguishes foam extinguishers “FOAM is an acronym for foam. These can be used to put out fires made of wood, paper, or fabric. Foam extinguishers can be used to put out flammable liquid flames as well. They CANNOT be used on electrical or flammable metal fires since the extinguisher may worsen the situation. Foam extinguishers are appropriate for a variety of fire-prone environments, such as offices, factories, warehouses, and hotels.
A black label saying CO2 fire extinguisher can be spotted “CO2 is a greenhouse gas. CO2 fire extinguishers are safe to use on electrical and flammable liquid fires. They should not be used to put out fires made of wood, paper, or fabric. They’re also not recommended for cooking fires involving oil and grease (such as chip pan fires), as the extinguisher may end up spraying the flames into the surrounding area. It is also not suggested that the user hold the extinguisher by the horn since CO2 gets extremely chilly when it evaporates into a gaseous state and can cause cold burns. CO2 extinguishers, unlike foam and water extinguishers, do not cool the fire; instead, they replace the oxygen around the fire with Carbon Dioxide, rendering the fire unburnable. CO2 extinguishers should be required in places where there is a risk of electrical fire, such as offices, schools, and shops.
A yellow label that indicates “wet chemical fire extinguisher” can be used to identify a wet chemical fire extinguisher “Chemicals that are moist. Wood, paper, and fabric fires can all be put out with wet chemical extinguishers. They’re also safe to use in the kitchen and in deep fat fryer fires. They should not be used to put out electrical, flammable liquid, or gaseous flames since they may cause the fire to spread. Because they emit hazardous fumes that should not be breathed in, wet chemical extinguishers should only be used in well-ventilated places. For any establishment with a professional kitchen and deep fat fryer, such as restaurants, burger bars, and hotels, wet chemical extinguishers are required.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is an excellent technique to put out an electrical fire, and OSHA recommends having one on each story of the house in case of an emergency. Any extinguisher used to put out electrical fires must, however, be rated suitably. For example, an extinguisher with the letter “C” on it may put out Class C flames, which are electrical fires.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is commonly associated with cleaning, however it can also be used to extinguish fires. Make sure you know where it is in your kitchen, because promptly locating it and pouring it on an electrical fire can assist put out the flames. Many fire extinguishers, in fact, contain baking soda-like chemicals.
A Blanket
If the fire is tiny, you may be able to smother it with a blanket to remove the oxygen required to keep it burning. Keep in mind that you want to use the blanket to smother the fire, not merely toss it at it. As a result, if the fire is too large, a blanket is unlikely to suffice.
Is it possible that utilizing a foam extinguisher to put out a Class C fire will cause a shock hazard?
Fire extinguishers come in nine different types:
The Water and Foam extinguisher puts out a fire by enabling water to take away the heat while foam separates the flames from the oxygen. Only use a water extinguisher to put out Class A fires (Combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, trash, and plastics). If used on a Class B fire (flammable liquids, such as gasoline or paint, or flammable gases, such as propane or butane), the discharge could aid in the spread of the flammable liquid or gas. It could cause a shock hazard if used on a Class C fire (electrical equipment such as motors or kitchen appliances).
Only Class A and Class B fires can be extinguished with the foam extinguisher. It will produce a shock danger if used on Class C fires.
This type of fire extinguisher uses a cold discharge to remove the oxygen from a fire while also removing the heat. On Class B and C fires, a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher should be used. On Class A flames, it is ineffective.
The Dry Chemical Extinguisher stops a fire’s chemical reaction. Because it is effective on Class A, Class B, and Class C fires, the multi-purpose Dry Chemical extinguisher is the most commonly used fire extinguisher in this category. On Class A flames, this is an excellent fire extinguisher because it provides a barrier between the oxygen and the fuel elements.
Only use an ordinary Dry Chemical Extinguisher on Class B and Class C fires if you don’t have a multi-purpose Dry Chemical Extinguisher. Because an inappropriate fire extinguisher can inflict more harm than good by re-igniting a fire, it is critical to use the correct extinguisher for the fuel type.
The Wet Chemical Extinguisher puts out a fire by reducing heat and breaking down barriers between oxygen and fuel, making it impossible for the fire to re-ignite.
Extinguishers for Class K (cooking oils, greases, animal fat, vegetable fat) are wet chemicals. If you work in the commercial kitchen, this extinguisher is a must-have. Class A fires can also be extinguished using some wet chemical extinguishers.
By halting the chemical reaction component of a fire, the Clean Agent Extinguisher uses both halon and halocarbon. Class B and C fires are the most common uses for the extinguisher. On Class A, Class B, and Class C fires, larger Clean Agent extinguishers can be utilized.
Dry powder separates fuel from oxygen or removes the heat element of a fire, similar to a dry chemical extinguisher. Only Class D (combustible metal fires) are extinguished with dry powder extinguishers. They are ineffective against any other sort of fire.
The water mist extinguisher puts out a fire by removing the fire’s heat source.
This extinguisher is best for Class A flames, although it can also be used to put out Class C fires.
On Class A fires, this extinguisher works by creating a barrier between oxygen and fuel to assist extinguish a fire by disrupting the chemical reaction of the fire.
On a Class C fire, should you use a foam extinguisher?
An electrified electrical fire is classified as a Class C fire “In this example, energized refers to the fact that it is powered. A short circuit, defective wiring, power cable breakage, overcharged gadgets, or overloaded electrical outlets can all cause Class C fires. A Class C fire can start anywhere that uses electrical equipment or has electrical wiring.
When a fire breaks out in an electrical unit, such as a kitchen appliance, a power panel, a computer, or another media device, the electricity that powers it works as a constant source of spark or ignition. Water and water-based foams can’t put out Class C fires because they can’t deal with the continual electrical ignition source. Water transmits electrical currents, so using it on a Class C fire can cause the electricity to spread, and thus the fire’s source of ignition.
“A fire is classified as Class C if it differs from fires classified as Class A or Class B. Fires that consume a source such as fire or wood that can be extinguished with water are classified as Class A, while fires that consume flammable liquids such as gasoline are classified as Class B.
Which type of fire extinguisher is most likely to cause damage to electronic components?
There are various sorts of fire extinguishers for various types of fires, and each one is extremely reliant on the type of substance being burned. A class C fire extinguisher is required to put out electrical fires, also known as charged electrical fires. If this type of fire arises, the source of electricity must be discovered and turned off, as the electricity will act as a persistent source of ignition for the fire. Depending on the surrounding materials, these fires can swiftly escalate and evolve into a different sort of fire, ranging from conventional combustibles like wood and paper to more serious circumstances involving flammable liquids or gases.
Any of the following power sources can be directly linked to electrical fires:
- Devices that are overloaded
- Damage to the power cord
- Outlets that are overloaded
- Light fixtures that have been fitted incorrectly
In a Class D fire, what materials burn?
The presence of burning metals distinguishes a Class D fire. Only few metals are flammable, and combustible metals include sodium, potassium, uranium, lithium, plutonium, and calcium, with magnesium and titanium being the most prevalent Class D flames.
Although high heat is normally required to ignite metal, once a fire is started, it spreads and develops rapidly and easily, making it extremely deadly and destructive. Sodium, on the other hand, is a highly reactive element that explodes when it comes into contact with air or water, making it particularly dangerous.
The most prevalent types of Class D fires occur in environments where metal ‘fines’ are present, as metal masses are generally rare to combust (with the exception of elements such as sodium). This includes labs, warehouses, and factories, as well as any other facility that uses manufacturing methods to cut, drill, or mill metals. Class D fires are more likely to occur in sites that process aluminum and, as a result, contain a lot of aluminum dust.
