adminA PORTABLE fire extinguisher is a peace of fire-fighting equipment that is designed to be carried and operated by hand that contains a fire extinguishing agent which is released from the container by internal pressure. The internal pressure can be produced by means of a carbon dioxide gas cartridge affixed in the container or the upper part of the container is kept permanently pressurised normally by nitrogen.
Types of fire extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers are divided into five categories according to the fire extinguishing agent they contain. The five types are as follows: water type extinguisher; foam type extinguisher; carbon dioxide type fire extinguisher; dry chemical powder type fire extinguisher; and halogenated hydrocarbon (halons) type fire extinguisher. The last type has since been phased out for health reasons as it has a toxic effect and is not ozone friendly.
In addition to the above, portable fire extinguishers are also divided into two groups according to the method of operation. Either as a gas cartridge type or stored pressure type as explained earlier on in the opening paragraph. But nowadays the most common type that is found on the market is the stored pressure type because of its numerous advantages over the gas cartridge type.
Identification of fire extinguishers
For easy identification, portable fire extinguishers have got specific colour codes: a water type is signal red, a foam type is pale cream; carbon dioxide type is black; dry chemical powder type is French blue. These colour codes are according to the Zimbabwean standards. But you may have noticed that some fire extinguishers especially those that are imported from other countries are all painted red, to identify them there is an area big enough to be visible in a colour depending on the extinguishing agent as mentioned above.
Further to the body colour, letter shaped symbols are part of the identification system. Identification letters, ‘A’; ‘B’; ‘C’; ‘D’; and ‘E’ are used. These letters signify the different classes of fire that the type of fire extinguisher can put out.
The type of fire extinguisher is also written clearly in words on the body of the extinguisher, as well as instructions for operation.
Online Reporter