How to choose a fire extinguisher

The occurrence of a fire hazard occurs unexpectedly, and therefore it is necessary to be prepared for it. The best solution to this problem will be a compact fire extinguisher, which will not take up much space and is always at hand, and in case of an emergency it will help to localize the fire source. All that is required is to select the correct device.

Top fire extinguisher manufacturers

The choice should be given to the models of those manufacturers whose products have been certified in our country and have the relevant documents issued by the fire authorities:

1. 'Fortress'

2. 'Pozhservis-M'

3. 'Source Plus'

4. “Rospozhoborudovanie”;

5. 'SAM-Spas'

The aforementioned manufacturers are included in the unified register of manufacturers of fire-fighting equipment, and their products are certified and undergo regular verification, which guarantees operability during the entire period of operation. This is also indicated by the reviews of users who had the misfortune to use fire extinguishers in real life, which can be found on the Internet.

Types of fire extinguishers. Which to choose?

All modern types of fire extinguishers can be divided into several conditional groups, depending on the principle of operation laid down by the manufacturer.

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers

They are a reservoir filled with carbon dioxide converted into a liquid state of aggregation under the influence of high pressure. During extinguishing, a chemical reaction occurs, instantly lowering the temperature of carbon dioxide to -70 degrees and converting it into a snow-like form.

Advantages

• Extinguishing efficiency;

• They are widely used in residential and public buildings;

• Suitable for extinguishing liquid and solid substances that do not burn without oxygen, as well as electrical installations for voltages up to 1000 Volts;

• Large reservoir stock;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for extinguishing metals that burn without oxygen, as well as high-voltage electrical installations;

• Toxicity of carbon dioxide vapors;

• Large overall dimensions;

Powder fire extinguishers

Compact models suitable for use in the field. They are a reservoir with a special powder placed in a container with a working gas. After pressing the handle, the ingredients are mixed, and a special foam is emitted from the nozzle of the fire extinguisher, which isolates the ignition center from oxygen and thereby stops the combustion.

Advantages

• Compact dimensions. Powder extinguishers are most commonly used in vehicles;

• Relatively good efficiency;

• Affordable price;

• Low weight;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for extinguishing objects that do not need oxygen to burn, as well as high-voltage electrical installations and electronic equipment;

• Demanding storage conditions;

• It is not always effective in extinguishing strong fires;

• They do not have a cooling effect, as a result of which the combustion process can resume;

Foam air extinguisher

The classic type of device, involving the use of water foam as a source of extinguishing an open flame. It is used to extinguish the fire of solids, wood, as well as all kinds of oily and paint and varnish liquids.

Advantages

• Maximum duration of action;

• No risk of re-ignition;

• Completely cope with the tasks assigned to them;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for extinguishing electrical wires and electrical installations, as well as all kinds of alkaline materials;

• Corrosive;

Freon fire extinguishers

Models of a chemical type, the main fire extinguishing agent in which is freon (the scientific name of the substance is hexafluoropropane). The principle of operation of such devices is to isolate sources of open flame from oxygen, which is replaced by a neutral halogen, which does not support combustion at all. Suitable for extinguishing all types of combustion, including high-voltage electrical installations, as well as all kinds of valuable artifacts that need to be inflicted minimal damage when extinguishing.

Advantages

• Effective;

• Allows you to extinguish all sources of flame, without exception, including computers and high-voltage systems, without fear of damaging them;

• Significant tank capacity;

disadvantages

• Expensive enough;

• Whimsical in storage and maintenance;

Fire extinguisher selection options. What to look for?

In order to select the most suitable fire extinguisher, it is necessary to determine the conditions in which this or that model can be used, to identify the source of ignition that will theoretically have to be eliminated, and also to consider the main criteria for choosing such devices.

Fire hazard class

In accordance with this criterion, all fire extinguishers are divided into five conventional groups:

1. A – fires of organic materials (paper, wood, textiles);

2. B – combustion of solids prone to melting, as well as all kinds of liquids;

3. C – ignition of gaseous substances;

4. D – combustion of metal alloys;

5. E – fires in electrical installations;

Where a combined ignition source is possible, a universal fire extinguisher is the best choice.

Duration of device operation

Directly depends on the capacity of the tank used. Its capacity should be sufficient for the assigned tasks of extinguishing fires with a certain reserve in capacity in case of secondary fire.

Regular maintenance and verification

Depending on the design, all fire extinguishers require regular technical inspection and calibration. It is performed every 1-2 years and indicates the suitability of the device for further operation. After passing the procedure, a special certificate is issued with the specified dates of the passed and next verification.

Features of choosing a fire extinguisher for home

Sources of fire at home can be the ignition of solid household items or the closure of the electrical wiring, and therefore a compact carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is more than enough. If a large number of household appliances are installed in the house, sensitive to the effects of carbon dioxide, a freon fire extinguisher should be preferred.

Features of choosing a fire extinguisher for a summer residence

Sources of fires that occur in summer cottages are almost always careless handling of fire or faulty electrical wiring, and therefore a sufficiently powerful carbon dioxide or air-foam fire extinguisher will be the best choice.

Features of choosing a fire extinguisher for a car

In view of the requirements for fire extinguishers when passing technical inspections of cars by interested special services, in the choice of such devices, motorists are limited to compact powder models. In some cases, this functionality is enough to cope with the source of ignition.

---

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.