Nobody will argue about the benefits and even the need for fire extinguishers - this means of extinguishing fire is sometimes irreplaceable. With its help you can very quickly extinguish the source of fire, in addition, there are special fire extinguishers to combat the burning of not only solid objects and substances, but even electrical appliances, liquids and gases. How to properly use this or that fire extinguisher - we learn in this article.
Kinds of fire extinguishers and rules of use
Depending on what and what we extinguish, fire extinguishers are divided into:
- powder ;
- carbon dioxide (gas) ;
- foam;
- water.
How to use a powder fire extinguisher?
These fire extinguishers are used to extinguish sudden ignitions of liquid, gaseous, solid substances, as well as for external electrical wiring and electric receivers, which are under voltage not more than 1 kV.
If the source of fire and the spread of fire are on an area of up to two square meters - the powder fire extinguisher will cope with the fire. For cars, it is preferable to choose powder fire extinguishers.
How to use a car fire extinguisher:
- to break the seal;
- pull out the check (on the shut-off device);
- release the hose and direct it to the source of ignition;
- Press the lever and start extinguishing.
How to use carbon dioxide fire extinguisher?
These fire extinguishers are filled with liquefied carbon dioxide at a certain pressure. During operation, a snow-like mass enters the combustion zone from the tube. This extinguisher can extinguish almost any surface in a small area, even electrical installations that are under voltage up to 10 kV.
Do not extinguish this kind of fire extinguishers with burning clothes on a person, since the snow-like mass leads to frostbite of exposed skin areas. It will not extinguish the burning of alkali metals, liquid MOS, some combustible compounds. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is also of low efficiency and for extinguishing smoldering surfaces.
The rules for using a fire extinguisher are as follows:
- you need to break the seal;
- pull out a check;
- the bell of the fire extinguisher should be directed to the fire;
- Press the lever (open the valve) and start extinguishing.
For the bell itself, you can not hold it with your bare hands, since the mixture is cooled down to -70 degrees Celsius on exit. After a successful fire extinguishing, it is necessary to ventilate the room so that the increased concentration of carbon dioxide does not lead to fainting. Do not breathe air and during direct use of a fire extinguisher - it is better to hold your breath for a couple of minutes.
How to use a foam fire extinguisher?
These fire extinguishers are designed to extinguish virtually any hard surfaces in the initial stage of a fire. They can extinguish the ignition of flammable, some types of flammable liquids in a small area - up to one square meter.
To bring such a fire extinguisher to the working position, you need:
- turn the handle of the locking device 180 degrees;
- turn the fire extinguisher upside down;
- send the tube and spray to the fire;
- Press the lever and proceed to extinguish the fire.
Turning upside down is necessary to mix the acid solution that came out after turning the handle and the alkaline part of the charge and cause the reaction to form a foamy solution.
How to use a water extinguisher?
This fire extinguisher is great for extinguishing burning plastic, wood, paper, garbage and fabrics. Water is good for its ability to absorb heat, because of which the fire gradually fades, because it does not have time to produce heat with the same intensity.
Flammable liquids can not be extinguished by water extinguishers - this will only increase the fire. Also, water can not be extinguished by electrical appliances and wiring - water is an excellent conductor of electricity. The process of using a water extinguisher is similar to most other types of appliances.