SAFETY

Unit II (a)

FIRE: CAUSE, TYPES AND REMEDIES, TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic (Å’ek{ksih) chemical process of
combustion (ngu), releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative
processes like rusting combustion (tax yxuk) or digestion are not included by this definition.

Fire is an important process that affects ecological systems around the globe. The positive effects
of fire include stimulating growth and maintaining various ecological systems.

The negative effects of fire include hazard to life and property, atmospheric pollution, and water
contamination. If fire removes protective vegetation, heavy rainfall may lead to an increase in
soil erosion by water. Also, when vegetation is burned, the nitrogen it contains is released into
the atmosphere, unlike elements such as potassium and phosphorus which remain in the ash and
are quickly recycled into the soil. This loss of nitrogen caused by a fire produces a long-term
reduction in the fertility of the soil, which only slowly recovers as nitrogen is "fixed" from the
atmosphere by lightning and by leguminous plants such as clover.

Fire has been used by humans in rituals, in agriculture for clearing land, for cooking, generating
heat and light, for signaling, propulsion purposes, smelting, forging, incineration of waste,
cremation, and as a weapon or mode of destruction.

TYPES

There are different types, or classes, of fire:

Class A fires involve solid materials of an organic nature such as

wood, paper, cloth, rubber and plastics that do not melt. Class A
fires are fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper,
cloth, rubber, and many plastics.

Water works best to extinguish a Class A fire.

Class B fires involves liquids. They include petrol, diesel,

thinners, oils, paints, wax, cooking fat and plastics that melt.
Class B fires are fires in flammable liquids such as gasoline,
petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents,
alcohols. Class B fires also include flammable gases such as
propane and butane. Class B fires do not include fires involving
cooking oils and grease.

Smothering effects which deplete the oxygen supply work best to

 extinguish Class B fires.

Class C fires involve electricity. Class C fires are fires involving

energized electical equipment such as computers, servers,
motors, transformers, and appliances. Remove the power and
the Class C fire becomes one of the other classes of fire.
Always de-energize the circuit then use a non-conductive extinguishing
agent. Such as Carbon dioxide.
Class D fires involve flammable metals such as magnesium,
aluminium, titanium, sodium and potassium. Class D fires are
fires in combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium,
zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.

Magnesium and Titanium are the most common types of metal fires.
Once a metal ignites do not use water in an attempt to extinguish it.
Only use a Dry Powder extinguishing agent. Dry powder agents work
by smothering and heat absorption.

Class K

Class K fires are fires in cooking oils and greases such as animal
and vegetable fats.

Can be extinguished using Purple K, the typical agent found in kitchen or

galley extinguishers.

 Ensure employees are aware of their responsibility to report dangers

 Control sources of ignition
 Have chimneys inspected and cleaned regularly
 Treat independent building uses, such as an office over a shop as separate purpose groups and
therefore compartmentalise from each other
 Ensure cooking food is always attended
 Use the Electricity Supply Board's Safety webpage
 Have regard to relevant Authority Safety Alerts, e.g. Mobile Phone "Expert XP-Ex-1", Filling
LPG Cylinders
 Use the Code of Practice For Avoiding Danger From Underground Services
(It provides practical guidance to assist in complying with safety, health and welfare legislation
requiring that adequate precautions are taken in any excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground
works or tunnel to avoid risk to persons at work arising from possible underground dangers.)
The different types of extinguisher tackle different types of fire

TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER – A DETAILED GUIDE

A. Water Extinguishers

Overview:
Water extinguishers are the most common fire extinguisher type for class A fire risk. Most
premises will require either water or foam extinguishers.

Label Colour:
Bright Red

Use for:
Organic materials such as: Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles,
Wood and coal

Do not use for:

Fires involving electrical equipment, Kitchen fires, Flammable gas and
liquids
How water extinguishers work:
The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames
are eventually extinguished.

Types of premises/business who may need water extinguishers:

Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as: Offices, Schools, Hospitals,
Residential properties, Warehouses

In fact most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers.

Where to locate water extinguishers:

By the exits on a floor where a Class A fire risk has been identified

Water spray extinguishers – what’s the difference?:

Water spray extinguishers are equipped with a spray nozzle, rather than a jet nozzle, meaning a
greater surface area can be covered more quickly and the fire put out more rapidly.

Water mist extinguishers – what’s the difference?:

Water mist extinguishers have a different type of nozzle again which releases microscopic water
particles. These particles ‘suffocate’ the fire and also create a wall of mist between the fire and
the person using the extinguisher, reducing the feeling of heat.

B. Foam Extinguishers

Overview:
Foam extinguishers are most common type of fire extinguisher for Class B fires, but also work
on Class A fires as they are water-based.

Label Colour:
– Cream

Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles, Wood and coal, Plus: –
Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol

Do not use for: Kitchen fires, – Fires involving electrical equipment, –

Flammable metals

How foam extinguishers work:

As with water extinguishers, foam extinguishers have a cooling effect on the fuel. On burning
liquids, the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire.

Types of premises/business who may need Foam extinguishers:

Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as: Offices, Schools, Hospitals,
Residential properties, Warehouses, Buildings where flammable liquids are stored

In fact most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers

Where to locate foam extinguishers:

By the exits on a floor where a Class A or Class B fire risk has been identified

C. Dry Powder Extinguishers

Overview:
Standard dry powder extinguishers are also called ‘ABC’ extinguishers
because they tackle class A, B and C fires, however they are not
recommended for use in enclosed spaces. This is because the powder
can be easily inhaled, and also the residue is very difficult to clean up
after. ABC powder extinguishers can also be used on some electrical
fires. Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used for flammable
metals.

Label Colour:
– Blue

Use for:
– Organic materials such as: o Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles, Wood and coal
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
– Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene
– Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v

Specialist dry powder extinguishers are only used on flammable metals, such as titanium and
magnesium.

Do not use for:

– Fires involving cooking oil
– Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v
– In enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties

How dry powder extinguishers work:

Dry powder extinguishers smother fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the source of
oxygen.

Types of premises/business who may need Dry Powder extinguishers:

– Businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes
– Premises where welding and flame cutting takes place
– Garage areas
– Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) supplying plants
– Premises with large, commercial boiler rooms
Where to locate Dry Powder extinguishers:
Near to the source of the fire risk.

Specialist Dry Powder extinguishers – what’s the difference?:

Specialist dry powder extinguishers work in the same way as standard dry powder extinguishers
but are for use with flammable metals only.
There are 2 types of specialist dry powder extinguishers – ‘L2’ which only tackles lithium fires,
and ‘M28’, for all other flammable metal fires.

D. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers

Overview:
CO2 extinguishers are predominantly used for electrical fire risks
and are usually the main fire extinguisher type provided in
computer server rooms. They also put out Class B fires
(flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum).

Label Colour:
– Black

Use for:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
– Electrical fires

Do not use for:

– Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires
– Combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles
– Flammable metals

How CO2 extinguishers work:

CO2 extinguishers suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn.

Types of premises/business who may need CO2 extinguishers:

– Premises with electrical equipment, such as:
o Offices
o Kitchens
o Construction sites
o Server rooms

All work vehicles should also carry a smaller 2kg CO2 extinguisher.

Where to locate CO2 extinguishers:

– Place near to the source of the fire risk and/or near the fire exits.
E. Wet Chemical Extinguishers

Overview:
Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking oils and
fats. They can also be used on Class A fires although it is more usual to have a foam or water
extinguisher for this type of fire risk.

Label Colour:
– Yellow

Use for:
– Cooking oil/fat fires
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal

Do not use for:

– Flammable liquid or gas fires
– Electrical fires
– Flammable metals

How wet chemical extinguishers work:

Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil or fat,
preventing oxygen from fuelling the fire any further. The spray also has a cooling effect.

Types of premises/business who may need wet chemical extinguishers:

– Commercial kitchens
– Canteens

Where to locate wet chemical extinguishers:

– Place near to the source of the fire risk.