TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS

There are six main types of fire extinguishers. Each extinguishes at least one of the types of fires we discussed on the previous page.

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are for putting out gas flames, burning cooking oil and fats, by suffocating the fire with a chemical “blanket”. It also works on organic materials such as wood. Use wet chemical fire extinguishers for a class A and F fire.

Halogenated hydrocarbon fire extinguishers, or simply halon extinguishers, have been banned, as the gas damages the ozone layer. You can, however, still get your hands on one if you search long enough – they’re effective on all classes of fire.

A carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher displaces the oxygen in the air and removes heat from a fire. It’s the right type of fire extinguisher against liquid fuels such as petrol and paraffin, and it also works on electric fires – so, class B and C.

High-pressure water-filled fire extinguishers work well for class A fires, but that’s it. They’re heavy, and it’s highly unlikely that you will carry this extinguisher in your rig. Never use water fire extinguishers for class B, C, D, and F fires.

Foam fire extinguishers are similar to wet chemical fire extinguishers, but they extinguish class A and B fires, in other words, braai and petrol fires but not flames fuelled by cooking oil and fats. The foam is a messy affair.

Dry chemical powder fire extinguishers, or ABC extinguishers, are the most popular type. They work on class A, B and C fires, but don’t use one on class D. It has a limited efficiency on a camping kitchen’s class F flames. |