FIRE

EXTINGUISHERS
‘THE FIRST AID
IN FIRE
FIGHTING
OPERATION’
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

A portable device used to put out fires of limited size. It is a

mechanical device usually made of metal, containing
chemicals, fluids, or gases for stopping fires, the means for
application of its contents for the purpose of putting out fire
(particularly small fire) before it propagates, and is capable
of being readily moved from place to place.
Classification of Fire Extinguishers:

The class of extinguisher should be indicated on the

extinguisher shell/container. The “picture-symbol”
labelling system used is designed to make the operation of
fire extinguishers more effective and safe to use through
the use of less confusing pictorial labels. The system also
emphasizes when not to use an extinguisher on certain of
fires.
 Picture-Symbol System for Fire Extinguishers:

Class A Extinguishers will put out

fires in ordinary combustibles,
such as wood and paper. The
numerical rating for this class of
(Extinguisher with this label is fire extinguisher refers to the
suitable for Class – A fires, but not amount of water the fire
suitable for Class B and C fires.) extinguisher holds and the amount
 Picture-Symbol System for Fire Extinguishers:

Class B Extinguishers should be

used on fires involving
flammable liquids, such as
grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The
(An extinguisher intended for Class numerical rating for this class of
B and C fires, but not for Class A fire extinguisher states the
fires) approximate number of square
 Picture-Symbol System for Fire Extinguishers:

Class C Extinguishers are

suitable for use on electrically
energized fires. This class of fire
extinguishers does not have a
(An extinguisher with this marking is suitable numerical rating. The presence
both for Class A, B, and C fires.) of the letter “C” indicates that
the extinguishing agent is non-
Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on
flammable metals and are often specific for
the type of metal in question. There is no
picture designator for Class D extinguishers.
These extinguishers generally have no rating
nor they are given a multi-purpose rating for
use on other types of metal fires.
CLASSES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Portable fire
Extinguisher
Designed to use for
immediately controlling
workplace fires.
Semi portable/ Wheeled type fire
Extinguisher

Designed to provide a way

of getting a sizeable amount
of extinguishing agent to a
fire rapidly.
Their portability and relatively easy operation often
make them ready for use within seconds. However,
training and education is critical to know more on the
operations and use of an extinguisher.
STEPS IN USING PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
PASS METHOD

• Pull
• Aim
• Squeez
e
• Sweep
 TYPES OF PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
1. H2O (water)
2. Dry Chemical
3. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
4. AFFF (foam)
5. Halons
6. Dry Powder ( metal/sand fire extinguishers)
7. Halotron I
8. FE-36(Hydrofluorocarbon-236fa) HFC-236fa
9. Water mist
 TYPES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

Water mist
Water Portable class K fire Halotron Fire
Extinguisher Extinguishers
Extinguisher
 TYPES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

Dry Chemical fire Halon fire

PARTS OF
PRESSURIZ
ED
EXTINGUIS
HERS
COMPONEN
TS OF FIRE
EXTINGUIS
HER
 THE MOST COMMON
EXTINGUISHING AGENTS
USED:
[Link] - These extinguisher contain
water and compressed gas and should only
be used on class a fires.

COOLING - The outstanding heat

absorbing qualities of water make it an
excellent cooling agent.

SMOTHERING - When water is used to

(6 liters to 20 smother the fire.
 [Link] CHEMICALS - Dry chemical
extinguishers are usually rates for multi -
purpose use.

TYPES:
Regular or ordinary - used only class B or
C fires.
Multi-purpose - used on class A, B, and
( 1kg to 14 C.
 [Link] DIOXIDE - Used on
class B and class C fires.
- This extinguisher is only
effective from 3 to 8 feet.

1kg to 9
 [Link]/FOAM - Used only
on class A and class B fires.

(10
[Link] - Used
on class B and class
C fires.
6.)Metal/Sand Extinguishers (Dry Powder) - types of
extinguishers are primarily used for flammable these
metals (Class D). It generally extinguishes fires by
excluding air from the combustible metal. To some extent,
heat is absorbed by the powder to lower the temperature
of the metal to below ignition point (as with G.I. powder).
 Different types of Metal/Sand
Extinguishing
•Sodium Agents:
Chloride - used for metal fires involving magnesium,
sodium (spills and in depth), potassium, sodium/potassium alloys,
uranium and powdered aluminum. Heat from the fire causes the
agent to harden and form a crust that excludes air and dissipates
heat.

Powdered Copper Metal (Cu metal) - used for fires involving

lithium and lithium alloys. It is the only known lithium fire
fighting agent which will cling to a vertical surface thus making it
Graphite-based powders - these are designed for use on
lithium fires. It is also effective on fires involving high
melting metals such as zirconium and titanium.

Sodium Bicarbonate Based Dry Agents -suppress fires

with most metal alkyls, pyrophoric liquids such as:
triethylaluminum.

Sodium Bicarbonate Based Dry Powder - can be used

7.)Halotron I Extinguishers: - As an ozone-friendly substitute for Halon
1211, which was outlawed by international accords beginning in 1994,
these extinguishers are meant to be used on class B and class C fires. This
"clean" agent is non-conducting, leaves no residue, discharges as a liquid,
and is highly visible when it does so. It also does not generate thermal or
static shock.
It is pricey, but these qualities make it perfect for electronics, computer
rooms, clean rooms, and telecommunications equipment.
•
8.)FE-36 -( Hydrofluorocarbon-236fa or known as HFC-236fa) - is a
substitute for Halon 1211 made by DuPont. It is less harmful than both
Halon 1211 and Halotron I, and it has no potential to deplete the ozone
9.) Water Mist Extinguishers - are best utilized on Class A fires when
there is a chance of a Class C hazard. The misting nozzle minimizes the
dispersal of burning materials and offers protection against electric
shock, in contrast to a standard water extinguisher. Water mist
extinguishers are the best option for MRI or NMR facilities or for use on
mine sweepers when they come in non-magnetic variants.
NMRs, or nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, and MRIs
(magnetic resonance imaging)
Sprinkler systems, hose streams, and other firefighting equipment cannot
be replaced with portable fire extinguishers. Their discharge time and
range are both limited, and they have a finite amount of extinguishing
agent inside. However, even in cases where property is automatically
 Types of Extinguisher Testing
Hydrostatic Test - an internal pressure
check of an extinguisher or shell to detect
possible failure under pressure

Service Test - the operational testing of an

extinguisher conducted yearly to
determine its functions to operate “HYDROSTATIC
properly. TEST”
Service
Test
“Hydrostat
ic Testing

Procedure”
 FIRE SUPPRESSION, CONTROL AND
EXTINGUISHMENT, AND EXTINGUISHING
The proper selection of an agent or method of control or
AGENTS
extinguishment is the most important factor in determining the
degree of a success of a firefighting operation.
Fire Suppression - means slowing down the rate of burning.
Control - means keeping the fire from spreading or holding the
fire to one area.
Extinguishment - is putting the fire completely out.
 REMOVAL OF FUEL

Removing the fuel source

effectively extinguishes some
fires.
The fuel source may be
removed by stopping the flow
of liquid or gaseous fuel or by
Starving the fire or fuel -
removing solid fuel in the path
Isolate of a fire.
 REDUCTION OF TEMPERATURE

One of the most common

methods of extinguishment is
cooling with water. This process
depends on reducing the
temperature of a fuel to a point
Removing the heat
where it does not produce
source: Cooling sufficient vapor to burn.
 EXCLUSION OF OXYGEN

Reducing the oxygen available to

the combustion process reduces a
fire's growth and may totally
extinguish it over time. In its
simplest form, this method is used
to extinguish cooking stove fires
Reducing the oxygen content:
when a cover is placed over a pan
Inert (Suffocation) of burning food.
 CHEMICAL INTERRUPTION

Extinguishing agents such as

some dry chemicals and
halogenated agents(halons)
interrupt the combustion
reaction and stop flaming.
Chemical
Interruption/Inhibition
 CHEMICAL
This methodINTERRUPTION
utilizes specialized chemicals
to swiftly halt the ignition and spread of
fires, allowing for more effective control and
mitigation of fire hazards. It is a crucial
method used by agencies like the Bureau of
Fire Protection (BFP) to enhance firefighting
capabilities.
Chemical interruption is tailored to the specific
characteristics of the fire class, emphasizing the
importance of using the right agents for effective
suppression. This approach ensures a targeted and
efficient response to diverse fire scenarios.
Class A (Ordinary Combustibles):
Chemical Interruption: Water and foam interrupt the
combustion process by cooling and smothering the
fire.

Class B (Flammable Liquids and Gases):

Chemical Interruption: Special chemicals (e.g., FM-
200) interrupt combustion by removing heat and
interfering with the chemical reactions of the fire.
Class C (Electrical Fires):??
Chemical Interruption: Carbon dioxide and other safe
chemicals interrupt combustion by displacing oxygen,
cutting off the fire's fuel source without harming
electronics.??

Class D (Metal Fires):??

Chemical Interruption: Dry powder agents, such as
powdered graphite, interrupt combustion by preventing
Class D (Metal Fires):
Chemical Interruption: Dry powder agents, such as
powdered graphite, interrupt combustion by preventing
metals from reacting with oxygen and igniting.

Class K (Kitchen Fires):

Chemical Interruption: Wet chemical extinguishers
interrupt combustion by creating a special substance
that disrupts the burning of cooking oils, preventing re-