How Fire Extinguishers Works

Control the fire while it is small. As it gets bigger, it will turn to foe. Fire extinguishers are au essential thing to own regard less of location.

Getting to know Fire
Fire resulted from a chemical combustion reaction, typically a reaction between oxygen and some sort of fuel with certain heated temperature (wood or gasoline for example).

Three essential elements involved in a fire process:
•Extreme heat
•Oxygen (or similar gas)
•Fuel

One of the elements will have to be removed to put out the fire. That is where the potential fire extinguisher comes in.



•To remove heat:
Dump water on the fire. This cools the fuel to below the ignition point, interrupting the combustion cycle.

•To remove oxygen:
Smother the fire so it is not exposed to air. Example: Smother a small fire by covering it with a heavy blanket. Another way would be dumping nonflammable material, such as sand or baking soda on top.

•To removing fuel:
The fuel can only be removed once the fire has burned all of it up.

Fire extinguishers are sturdy metal cylinders filled with water or a smothering material. Once a lever at the top of the cylinder is pressed, the material is expelled by high pressure, similar to an aerosol can. At the top of the cylinder, there is a smaller cylinder filled with compressed gas. To use the extinguisher, simply pull out the safety pin and depress the operating lever. The valve inside will be opened and releases gas or contents of the cylinder.

Types of Extinguishers
Water extinguisher: Put out things like burning wood, paper or cardboard, but it does not work well on electrical fires or fires involving inflammable liquids. Any water contracted with electrical fire will be harmful to human and make the fire worse.

Pure carbon dioxide extinguisher: Carbon dioxide gas is heavier than oxygen, so it displaces the oxygen surrounding the burning fuel. Commonly found in restaurants, as it doesn't contaminate the cooking equipment or food.

Dry chemical foam or powder extinguisher: Typically made of sodium bicarbonate (normal baking soda), potassium bicarbonate (nearly identical to baking soda), or monoammonium phosphate. Starts to decompose at only 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius), and only releases carbon dioxide once it reaches the point. The carbon dioxide works to smother fire.

Of course fire extinguishers contain only a fairly small amount of fire-suppressant material, which it will be used up in a matter of seconds. For larger fire, a fire engine and professionals are needed. Do make sure that safety measures are taken before things get out of control.

source: www.howstuffworks.com