What Are The Five Main Types Of Fire Extinguisher Found In NZ?The fire extinguishers in New Zealand are a little different from the ones you find in other countries. It’s important to be aware of the different kinds of extinguishers and which fires they are best suited for. It’s easy to differentiate between different types of fire extinguishers NZ thanks to the coloured band at the top of the extinguisher. There are five main types of fire extinguishers NZ, including;
Dry Chemical Has a White Band![]() A dry powder extinguisher eliminates the chemical reaction that creates fire. The dry powder extinguisher, which has a white band, is the most common type of dry powder extinguisher because it works so well on Class A, B, and E fires. What makes these extinguishers so effective is that they create a barrier between the oxygen and the fuel for a Class A fire. Carbon Dioxide Has a Black Band![]() Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers (or CO2 extinguishers) work by removing the oxygen from the fire. They also eliminate the heat with their cold discharge. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are effective on Class B and E fires but are no good against Class A fires. Carbon dioxide is also considered environmentally acceptable because it is a natural element in the air around us. Foam Has a Blue Band![]() Foam extinguishers are effective against Class A and Class B fires. They are great for extinguishing liquid fires such as diesel or petrol fires. The foam seals the surface of the liquid to prevent flammable vapours from reaching the air and combusting, which quickly puts out a liquid flame. These extinguishers can only be used on Class A and Class B fires. They become a shock hazard if used on Class E fires. Water Extinguishers Have No Band![]() Water extinguishers work by removing the heat elements of fire with water. They should only ever be used with Class A fires (fires caused by combustibles such as cloth, paper, wood, plastics, and trash). Using them with Class B fires (flammable liquids, gas, and paint), as the water could help to spread the flammable liquids and gases. When used on Class E (electrical) fires, it can create a shock hazard. Wet Chemical Extinguishers Have a Beige Band![]() A wet chemical extinguisher works by removing the heat from a fire and creating a barrier between the fuel and oxygen to prevent the fire from re-igniting. Wet Chemical extinguishers are designed for Class F (cooking oil, animal fat, vegetable fat, and grease) fires. They are essential for people in the cooking industry. They are typically paired up with fire blankets in commercial kitchens. They can be used with Class A fires too, but they shouldn’t be used with live electrical equipment. While contact with the wet chemicals in the extinguishers isn’t dangerous, it can irritate eyes and skin. from https://fireextinguishersnz.co.nz/types-of-fire-extinguishers-nz/
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Not all fires are equal – some chemicals are more efficient at putting out certain types of fires
Where combustible substances vary in your office or workplace, so should the contents of your fire extinguishers. Knowing fire extinguisher colour codes are important to safety and wellbeing. It can be the difference between completely putting out a fire or causing further damage to property and possible harm to people. You can locate the colour code of your fire extinguisher on the band around the cylinder. The different colour codes are as follows: No Band Contents: Water How it works: Commonly known as Stored Pressure Water, water extinguishers are excellent at putting out normal fires caused by wood, paper and fabric. Being common distilled water, they won’t leave behind any chemical residue. Suitable for:
Carbon Dioxide How it works: A CO2 extinguisher offers great protection against flammable liquids and electrical fires. They’re mainly found in electrical switchboards server rooms and areas with sensitive electrical appliances installed. Carbon Dioxide is not only a highly effective chemical for fighting fires, but it’s also a clean agent and doesn’t leave behind a mess. Suitable for:
Foam How it works: A Foam fire extinguisher emanates a film that rapidly suffocates the fire’s oxygen supply, knocking down its flames. They offer exceptional protection against oils, petrol and other flammable liquid based fires. Suitable for:
Dry Powder How it works: Dry Powder ABE fire extinguishers provide excellent protection against paper, wood, oils and electrical fires. This wide range of industrial and commercial applications make them notably versatile in different usage situations – from residential to commercial, caravans, boats and large machinery. Suitable for:
Wet Chemical How it works: Intended to extinguish fires on kitchen ranges caused by fats, cooking oils, butter and lard, Wet Chemical fire extinguishers store a fluid extinguishing agent that becomes soapy when released. This liquid seals the surface of the flame, prevents re-ignition and quickly returns your kitchen to safety. Suitable for:
From https://fireextinguishersnz.co.nz/fire-extinguisher-band-colours-what-do-they-mean/ Every day we walk past fire extinguishers in our workplaces, public areas and possibly in our homes. But can you say that know how to use a fire extinguisher? We are going to explain how to use a fire extinguisher correctly and ensure you are ready in case of an emergency. Before Using A Fire ExtinguisherOnly use a fire extinguisher when:
Remember, life is more important than property. Don’t put yourself or others at risk. How To Use A Fire Extinguisher, PTASS TechniqueThe PTASS Fire Extinguisher technique should be common knowledge to EVERYONE! PTASS is the acronym used to describe the four necessary steps of operating a fire extinguisher. Pull The very first step is to pull the safety pin at the top of the fire extinguisher. This pin is in place to stop the handle from being accidentally squeezed. Test Give a quick test squirt to make sure the extinguisher is working. Aim Standing at a safe distance from the fire, aim the extinguisher nozzle toward the base of the fire. Squeeze Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguishing agent. Always make sure you are at a safe distance from where the fire was before releasing the handle as the fire could flare up again. Sweep Sweep the hose and nozzle of the fire extinguisher from side to side, directing your aim at the base of the fire. ![]() Knowing How To Use A Fire ExtinguisherA fire always starts small. It can cause extensive damage to property and threaten lives if not handled appropriately within the first few minutes of combustion. If you have a maintained fire extinguisher and you also know how to use it, possible accidents can be limited. Understanding The Different Types Of Fire ExtinguishersAll Fire extinguishers have a coloured band at the top of the cylinder to indicate their contents. The five most common types of fire extinguishers in New Zealand are: Remember that each of these different types of fire extinguishers is designed for fighting different classes of fire. Common Misconceptions And MistakesSince the majority of people have only seen a fire extinguisher being used on TV, they aren’t knowledgeable of the different types of fire extinguishers and their different capabilities. It is a common mistake that all fire extinguishers are the same. It is essential to recognise that this is not the case, and using the incorrect fire extinguisher can often cause additional damage. For example, if you used a Water extinguisher to fight an electrical fire, you stand the chance of getting a shock or cause even more damage. Additional Tips About Fire Extinguishers
from https://fireextinguishersnz.co.nz/how-to-use-a-fire-extinguisher/ A fire extinguisher is a fire fighting device used mostly for small fires to control it or extinguished it all together immediately. There are different kinds of this type of product for different classes of fire which are based on the material that fuels the fire. More often than not, ignorance on such matters results to worse case scenarios like using a water fire extinguisher to stop a fire caused by some electrical problems as this would make the fire more prominent and more uncontrollable. It is therefore not enough that you have one in your house or workplace but that you got the right one for the kind of fire that is likely to occur to put it out safely.
Dry powder fire extinguishers are commonly used to extinguish most types of fires from paper, wood, and textile to flammable or combustible liquids and even for electrical fires but due to the risk of inhalation that it poses, this is not recommended for used on enclosed areas. An automatic extinguisher is then used on enclosed spaces that require dry powder fire extinguishers like marine engine compartments since these areas are usually unmanned. They are also suitable for use in vehicles. On the other hand, a wet chemical extinguisher is commonly used on most general household fires. It is the only appropriate kind of extinguisher used for cooking fat and oil fires. While a dry powder extinguisher can be used for electrical fires, the performance of electronic equipment may be affected as corrosion may ensue due to the residue left behind. For this, carbon dioxide extinguishers were developed as it does not leave any residue making it safe for use on electrical equipment. CO2 automatic extinguishers are just the perfect fight fighting equipment to keep in workplaces where there is sensitive electrical equipment like computers. CO2 fire extinguishers are also useful for use with flammable or combustible liquids. Another kind of extinguisher that can also tackle flammable liquids is the foam fire extinguisher. Still, it is not recommended for use on fires caused by deep fryer fats. This is also good for putting out fires feeding on solid materials like wood, paper, and even on soft furnishings. A water extinguisher is considered the most common type of fire extinguisher and most households are equipped with this type of fire fighting device as this is best suitable to fight fires on solid materials like wood, paper, and textiles. Since there are different kinds of fire extinguishers, you have to get the ones that would effectively and safely suit your needs. For example, you can equip your home with a wet chemical extinguisher which could then be placed near the kitchen where it could best serve its purpose and a CO2 extinguisher where there is a likelihood of a fire occurring due to wiring or electrical problems. For offices where there are lots of paperwork and computers, getting a water fire extinguisher and a CO2 extinguisher is a right combination so that you can have a suitable device for use for the solid materials and the electrical equipment respectively. |
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