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A c02 extinguisher is filled with carbon dioxide gas and is classified for use on fires which are caused by flammable gases or liquids or fires which are electrical in nature. Carbon dioxide is stored under extremely high pressure and when it is released rapidly, that pressure may cause so much chilling that pieces of dry ice may shoot from the hose of the extinguisher.
The cylinders used on carbon dioxide extinguishers may be as small as five pounds or over one hundred pounds. The larger extinguishers have a long hose that is attached to a hard horn. The container on these large extinguisher can remain stationary while the hose and horn are pulled to the fire.
In order for a fire to burn there must be heat, oxygen and fuel. If you remove one or more of these elements from the fire, the fire goes out. With c02 fire extinguishers, two elements are removed. The c02 displaces the oxygen and offers cooling. Both of these actions make the extinguishers very effective on the fires that they are designed to extinguish.
However, for the most common fires, those that involve paper, wood or rubber, carbon dioxide extinguishers are not effective. While they can cause the flames to die down momentarily, the carbon dioxide is quickly dissipated and these fires are known to have embers underneath the surface that continue to smolder even when the flames have died down. The smoldering embers can build up enough heat that the fire is ignited again.
In the US, flammable gas or liquid fires are classified as Class B. In the UK, flammable liquids are classified as Class B, while gas fires are class C. In the US electrical fires are class C fires and in the UK, they are class E fires.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers are used in flammable storage areas, laboratories, kitchens or mechanical rooms. These extinguishers are easily distinguished from others by their lack of a pressure gauge. If you need a multi-purpose extinguisher for home use, you will prefer a type ABC fire extinguisher.
Never use water on these fires. C02 is the safest way to put them out. On liquid or gas fires, water can spread the flames while electrical fires pose the hazard of an electrical shock or even electrocution. For the safety of personnel or fire fighters, the extinguisher is the safest way to put out these fires.
The cylinders used on carbon dioxide extinguishers may be as small as five pounds or over one hundred pounds. The larger extinguishers have a long hose that is attached to a hard horn. The container on these large extinguisher can remain stationary while the hose and horn are pulled to the fire.
In order for a fire to burn there must be heat, oxygen and fuel. If you remove one or more of these elements from the fire, the fire goes out. With c02 fire extinguishers, two elements are removed. The c02 displaces the oxygen and offers cooling. Both of these actions make the extinguishers very effective on the fires that they are designed to extinguish.
However, for the most common fires, those that involve paper, wood or rubber, carbon dioxide extinguishers are not effective. While they can cause the flames to die down momentarily, the carbon dioxide is quickly dissipated and these fires are known to have embers underneath the surface that continue to smolder even when the flames have died down. The smoldering embers can build up enough heat that the fire is ignited again.
In the US, flammable gas or liquid fires are classified as Class B. In the UK, flammable liquids are classified as Class B, while gas fires are class C. In the US electrical fires are class C fires and in the UK, they are class E fires.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers are used in flammable storage areas, laboratories, kitchens or mechanical rooms. These extinguishers are easily distinguished from others by their lack of a pressure gauge. If you need a multi-purpose extinguisher for home use, you will prefer a type ABC fire extinguisher.
Never use water on these fires. C02 is the safest way to put them out. On liquid or gas fires, water can spread the flames while electrical fires pose the hazard of an electrical shock or even electrocution. For the safety of personnel or fire fighters, the extinguisher is the safest way to put out these fires.
About the Author:
Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home systems. If you want more information about types of CO2 extinguisher or are looking for a trusted fire extinguisher service please visit http://www.adt.co.uk
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