Selecting the right fire extinguishing equipment is, alongside aspects such as effective protection and the skills of people extinguishing the fire, one of the foundations of fire protection. One of the most popular types of extinguishing agents are powder extinguishers. What do you need to know about them? How do they work and how are they constructed? What is their purpose? We write about this in the new guide.
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How does a powder fire extinguisher work?
Powder extinguishers operate on the principle of spraying extinguishing powder. This then reacts with the flame, suppressing it and interrupting the combustion process. This is possible thanks to the elimination of oxygen and the absorption of heat. Devices of this type are effective in extinguishing various fires - including solids (group A), liquids (group B) and gases (group C). Their versatility allows for use in, among others, public buildings, offices, residential buildings and vehicles.
Construction of a powder fire extinguisher
The construction of a powder extinguisher is quite simple. Its basic element is a cylinder (bottle), filled with extinguishing powder and a carrier gas. Nitrogen or carbon dioxide is usually used for the latter. The cylinder is also equipped with a safety pin for storage, which must be removed before use. At the end, there is a hose through which the extinguishing agent is released from the cylinder after pressing the lever. The simplicity of the construction makes powder extinguishers easy to use. Therefore, they can be used to extinguish fires even by untrained people, enabling a quick response in emergency situations.
What can a powder fire extinguisher extinguish?
Powder extinguishers are designed to extinguish fires from groups A, B and C. They can therefore be used to extinguish burning solids (such as wood, paper or most building materials), liquids (including fuels such as petrol or diesel oil) and flammable gases. The wide range of materials whose fires can be extinguished with a powder extinguisher makes them an element of equipment in many facilities. They can be found in public buildings, cars or industrial facilities. It is also worth having one at home - e.g. in a boiler room or garage.
What should definitely not be extinguished with a powder extinguisher?
Despite their versatility, powder extinguishers are not suitable for extinguishing all types of fires. Avoid extinguishing electrical equipment under voltage. You should also be careful when it comes to fires involving flammable liquids and solids containing elements such as sodium, potassium or magnesium. In the event of a fire involving electrical equipment, using a powder extinguisher can result in electrocution – powder is not an insulator and can conduct electricity. These elements can react with the extinguishing powder and fan the flames.
Another type of risk is the possibility of damaging the equipment being extinguished. This applies especially to equipment sensitive to dust. In their case, you should reach for a different type of extinguisher - foam extinguishers or carbon dioxide extinguishers.
When using a powder extinguisher, you should also be careful due to the risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions caused by the extinguishing powder. You should avoid direct contact with the powder, and after finishing the action, do not touch it with your bare hands. Remember also that when extinguishing with a powder extinguisher, a cloud of powder is created that limits visibility and can make breathing difficult. If possible, it is therefore recommended to use the extinguisher in well-ventilated places and wear a protective mask.
As you can see, powder extinguishers are importantfire extinguishing equipment . They allow you to take quick action in the face of a threat and effectively extinguish a fire. Their simple design and ease of use allow them to be used even by people without specialist knowledge of firefighting. However, it is worth remembering the risks associated with their use, which we wrote about in the above paragraphs. By following these rules, you can be sure that extinguishing a fire will not involve additional, unnecessary risk.
Check out the powder fire extinguishers at the Onninen wholesaler