Among all sudden emergencies, fire is in first place in prevalence. Such an emergency threatens not only damage or destruction of any property, but also invariably carries a risk to human health and life. Only knowledge of the theoretical foundations will help, at the right time, not to get confused, but to begin to immediately put out an open fire on their own. For this reason, everyone should read the instructions for use of fire extinguishers.
Description of Varieties
Today on the premises you can find devices of various types. In addition, each of them serves only one purpose, but the principles of work and the procedure for the necessary actions may differ. A certain type of fire extinguisher, as a rule, serves to extinguish specific fires or when an open fire occurs in separate conditions.
Among currently used ones, one can meet the following types of similar devices:
- powder;
- carbon dioxide;
- air-emulsion;
- water.
The choice of the right option is determined by existing safety standards. At the plants, their own rules are usually created, according to which the most effective and allowed option is chosen. For your own needs, you should purchase a fire extinguisher that will best meet all the necessary requirements.
Description of powder fire extinguishers
The first of the described options has a fairly wide application. The operating instructions for the OP fire extinguishers say that they are designed to extinguish the following types of fires:
- Category A. Combustion of various solids and surfaces (except metals).
- Category B. Combustion of liquids.
- Category C. Combustion of gases.
- Category E. Combustion of electrical installations.
As can be seen from the description, the exception is only category D, which refers to the quenching of metal structures. For these types of fires, special powder fire extinguishers OPS should be used. Normal operation of the OP is assumed under temperature conditions indoors or outdoors in the range of -40 ... + 50 ° . The area covered by it will depend on the volume of the substance in the fire extinguisher. For example, when marking OP-2, the device will be able to cope with a fire of approximately 20 square meters.
Application of powder fire extinguishers
First you need to quickly check the pressure in the housing. After that, the fire extinguisher is located directly in front of the fire. Next, pull out the protective pin and direct the nozzle into an open flame. When you press the start lever, the device will be activated, and the person will only have to direct the jet to the desired location. It is important to note that you will definitely have to stand upwind in relation to the fire. Also, some rooms are equipped with automatic fire extinguishers of this type. Upon reaching a certain temperature, such devices will begin to extinguish the fire on their own.
A popular example is the OP-4 model. As the name implies, it is able to stop fires on an area of about 40 square meters. The operating manual for the OP-4 fire extinguisher is essentially the same as the manual for similar models. The device can last up to five years before recharging, while the cost in stores is relatively low and amounts to 600-700 rubles.
Description of carbon dioxide fire extinguishers
This type is used in case of fires of category B, C and E, as well as in the presence of oxygen as a source of fire. With reservations, carbon dioxide extinguishers can also be used to extinguish solids. Category A fires are extinguished by such a device if the source of ignition is unable to smolder from the inside. Many employers prefer to hang these types of fire extinguishers in offices for the reason that they do not pollute or disable computers and other office equipment.
The product protection area is marked on the case and ranges from 10 to 550 square meters. OU fire extinguishers have proven themselves best in extinguishing fires in the very initial stages, provided that it is impossible to fill the source of ignition with water. Inside the device is carbon dioxide in liquid form. The instructions for use of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher also say that you should not touch them during operation because the temperature of the socket reaches -70 degrees Celsius.
The use of carbon dioxide fire extinguishers
To bring the product into action, it is enough to remove the seal. In the same way as during the operation of a powder fire extinguisher, the direction of the wind should be taken into account when fighting fires in the open air. In the room it is enough just to send a bell to a source of ignition. To extinguish, you must press the lever or turn the valve counterclockwise. The choice of action depends on which mechanism was laid in the basis of the locking-starting device - valve or pistol.
The contents of a fire extinguisher in the form of liquefied carbon dioxide will immediately exit to the socket through a siphon tube. Upon contact with air, a sharp expansion of the substance and almost instantaneous change in its state of aggregation will occur. Liquefied carbon dioxide will turn into solid flakes, reminiscent in appearance of ordinary snow. The cost of the product depends on the volume of the substance inside. For example, an OU-1 fire extinguisher costs 660 rubles, and an OU-5 costs 1395 rubles. The prices for mobile models are slightly higher and range from 3600 to 16 000 rubles.
Description of air-emulsion fire extinguishers
This type of product is used to eliminate fires in categories A, B, C and E. The advantage of such fire extinguishers is their almost complete safety for people. Air-emulsion devices do not require any special personal protective equipment before putting on. In addition, the protected area is not exposed to pollution, and the range of visibility after using the product remains the same. As with the previous types, the covered area is indicated on the OVE case.
The instruction manual for air-emulsion-based fire extinguishers permits and recommends the use of products in places of a large concentration of people. These include schools, kindergartens, hospitals, theaters, hotels and many others. A finely dispersed emulsion inhibits the flame by creating a microfilm on an inflammable surface. The advantages of this approach are the ability to preserve material values when fighting a fire and a significant reduction in the amount of active substance consumed.
Application of air-emulsion fire extinguishers
The first step is to pull the protective pin from the device. The instructions for the use of air-emulsion type fire extinguishers generally repeat the steps described in the rest of the manuals. The product is sent to a source of ignition, after which the trigger handle is immediately pressed. It is also required to calculate the probable area on which fire extinguishing may be required. About 5-6 liters of active substance for every 100 square meters are taken from this calculation.
In addition, each OVE fire extinguisher is able to function up to the 40th recharge. However, the cost of products is higher than that of similar ones based on powder or acid. For example, an OVE-4 fire extinguisher, protecting an area of up to 40 square meters, will cost the buyer about 4,000 rubles. At the same time, mobile models with an impressive coverage area can even cost 55,000 rubles.
Description of water extinguishers
The most environmentally friendly type on the market. It is used to eliminate fires during fires of category A, B or E. The operating instructions for fire extinguishers describe in general terms the principle of operation of water-based products. It is quite simple and lies in the fact that the liquid has the ability to quickly absorb heat from the outside and block access to oxygen for open fire. A very common version of fire extinguishers at the household level. Nevertheless, the instruction does not provide for extinguishing fires in electrical devices, since water is an excellent current conductor in its properties.
However, there is a slight exception to the rule above. Typical operating instructions for the fire extinguishers of the air conditioner usually has a clause that states that the extinguishing of electrical installations is possible if their voltage does not exceed 1000 V. Moreover, a person should be at least one meter from the source of ignition. As you know, water freezes at low temperatures. Some versions of the OM provide for the presence in the water of certain substances that contribute to an increase in the allowable range during use. Such models can be used at temperatures up to -30 degrees Celsius.
The use of water extinguishers
The first step is to pull the checks from the product. After the bell is immediately directed to the source of ignition, and after the descent of the lever, the fire extinguisher begins to work. If the action is carried out on the street, then you should, as usual, enter from the leeward side. To extinguish an open flame is best gradually moving from the edges to the center.
The cost of fire extinguishers may vary depending on the volume of water and the presence of added frost-resistant substances. The approximate price is in the range of 1800-4000 rubles. The instruction manual for water-type fire extinguishers is the same for all models. For example, for the OV-8 product, the maximum jet length is up to 4 meters, the charge mass is up to 8 kg, and the service life before recharging is up to 5 years.
How to choose the right fire extinguisher
Buying the right device is not so difficult. It is enough to know exactly what area in the future will need to be protected with a fire extinguisher. Also, you should definitely take into account the specifics of the object on which a possible fire is expected, that is, it is necessary to determine the likely class of fire. Each product must be accompanied by explanations on how to use a fire extinguisher. The instruction is mandatory in the delivery package, so its availability should be checked with the seller in advance.
Features of the location of fire extinguishers
The main rule is that the product is always placed in the most visible place. When arranging premises, the probable places of a fire should be calculated. The instructions for use and storage of fire extinguishers require that devices be placed in close proximity to probable problem areas. The recommended distance is no more than 20 meters.