To be honest, no single extinguisher can handle every kind of fire; so, choice is quite important since every type of extinguisher works for a distinct form of fire.
The good news is that portable fire extinguishers are saving lives and are rather efficient. According to surveys, portable fire extinguishers stop 93% of fires. Still, the success percentage just relies on one factor: selecting the correct fire extinguisher. A foam fire extinguisher is one of many types of fire extinguishers. But what exactly is it? When should we use it?
In this article, we’ll discuss what foam extinguishers are and foam extinguishers for what type of fire should be used. Let’s dive into it.
What Is a Foam Fire Extinguisher?
A foam fire extinguisher uses a mixture of water, air, and foam to put out fires. It works by encasing the fires with a thick covering of foam that puts out the fire by stopping its oxygen supply. This doesn’t let the fire restart. It can be used on different types of flammable materials, like wood, paper, cloth, flammable oils, diesel fuel, and alcohol. Foam fire extinguishers can be used for a variety of fires. But which ones?
Types of Fires Foam Extinguishers Are Suitable For
There are certain type of fire foam extinguisher used for. As we already mentioned, foam Fire extinguishers use include combating burning solids like wood as well as liquid fires like burning petrol and diesel. Still, fires are generally classified as A, B, C, etc, which are called “class of fires”, and foam based fire extinguisher used for Class A and B fires. But what are they?
Class A Fires
Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, and some plastics. These fires have low ignition temperatures and a tendency to leave ash behind. The reason foam fire extinguishers are used here is that the foam is generally water-based, making it suitable for this.
Class B Fires
Class B fires are those containing flammable liquids or gases like gasoline, oil, and propane, and are highly lethal since they spread rapidly and burn liquids and gases with great heat of burning. Because they effectively trap and cool down the burning flammable liquids, foam fire extinguishers tackle class B fires and hence block the release of vapours able to fuel the fire. This is one of the biggest advantages of foam fire extinguishers.
Where Are Foam Fire Extinguishers Commonly Used?
Now, before you head out to get a foam fire extinguisher, you need to be aware of uses of foam extinguisher. Common sites where there is a risk of both Class A and Class B fires are where foam fire extinguishers are most often used; 3 such places exist where the risk of such a fire is highest.
Commercial Buildings and Offices
Commercial buildings and offices have a high chance of catching class A fires, with paper documents used all the time, and also class B fires, as commercial buildings sometimes make use of or store flammable liquids, including various solvents for paints, and cleaning chemicals. Both such fires can be suppressed by a foam fire extinguisher, which is why it is a great choice for these places.
Industrial Facilities and Warehouses
Much like commercial buildings, these places deal with wooden crates and flammable liquids like gasoline all the time, which is why there needs to be a fire extinguisher for such places where there is no risk of re-ignition and minimal water damage. Foam fire extinguishers meet both of these criteria, and as a result, they’re a great choice for industrial facilities and warehouses.
Petrol Stations and Chemical Storage Areas
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Petrol Pumps or gas stations have petrol and diesel right there being sold all the time, and the risk of a class B fire breaking out is always there. Chemical warehouses also handle various kinds of chemicals, some of which are flammable, which is the ideal recipe for a class B fire. Hence, these facilities have to maintain a foam fire extinguisher close to hand.
Conclusion
Foam fire extinguishers put out class A and B flames, which usually come from things and liquids that can catch fire, like gasoline, wood, and so on. Foams that form water-based films are also known as AFF or spray foam fire extinguishers. These fire extinguishers can be used both inside and outside without any problems.
Warehouses, petrol stations, offices, and commercial buildings where flammable materials such paper, wood and gasoline are present often use these fire extinguishers.
If you are looking for the best foam fire extinguishers, you can check out L&T-SuFin now.
FAQs
Why is foam used to extinguish fire?
When sprayed over a fire, the foam in foam fire extinguishers develops a coating around it from a combination of water, air and foam. This layer guarantees a cut off of oxygen supply and prevents the fire from re-igniting. Given Class A and B flames, which can be re-ignited somewhat rapidly, this is absolutely crucial.
What type of fire is Class A foam used for?
The term itself explains it: Class A foam is meant to handle Class A Fires. Among other materials, these fires involve wood, paper, fabric, and some polymers. In structural and wildland firefighting, where water by itself might not be sufficient, it also finds application.
When not to use a foam fire extinguisher?
Though they are quite useful, there are some areas where you should not use a foam fire extinguisher at all. For class C fires, for instance, foams cannot effectively confine flammable gases, and in class D fires, the water in the foam can react strongly with specific metals such as sodium. Furthermore, in class F fires, the high temperatures of cooking oil flames could render the foam ineffective. Foam extinguishers could damage the equipment and be useless on electrical fires. Though some foam extinguishers are tested for use on live electrical equipment, they should only be used carefully and from a safe distance.
Top Blogs Url’s
Top Products