The Science Behind Fire Extinguishers: How They Work

Fire extinguishers are an essential piece of equipment in any home or business, as they can help put out small fires before they have a chance to spread and cause significant damage. But how do they work? This article will discuss the science behind fire extinguishers and how they extinguish fires. Visit this site to get help from one of the best fire extinguisher suppliers in the world.

Extinguishing the fire triangle:

Fire needs three things to exist: fuel, oxygen, and heat. This is known as the fire triangle. To extinguish a fire, you need to remove one of these elements. Fire extinguishers remove one or more of these elements, disrupting the fire triangle and extinguishing the fire.

Types of extinguishing agents:

Fire extinguishers use several types of extinguishing agents to disrupt the fire triangle, each designed for a specific type of fire. The most common types of extinguishing agents are:

Water:

Water extinguishers remove heat from the fire by cooling it down. They are most commonly used for Class A fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth.

Carbon dioxide (CO2):

CO2 extinguishers remove oxygen from the fire by suffocating it. They are most commonly used for Class B and C fires involving flammable liquids, gases, and electrical equipment.

Dry chemical:

Dry chemical extinguishers create a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen, smothering the fire. They are most commonly used for Class B and C fires.

Foam:

Foam extinguishers smother the fire and create a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen. They are most commonly used for Class A and B fires.

Wet chemical:

Wet chemical extinguishers smother the fire, cool it down, and create a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen. They are commonly used for Class K fires that involve kitchen grease and oils.

Pressurization:

Fire extinguishers are pressurized containers that release the extinguishing agent when the trigger is pulled. The pressurization of the extinguisher allows the extinguishing agent to be released in a fine mist, which helps cover a larger area and extinguish the fire more quickly.

Pressurization is achieved through various methods such as compressed air, Nitrogen, or CO2. The most common method is using compressed air or Nitrogen.