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Fire extinguishers types and uses

Fire extinguishers types are wide with different uses as each is specific to the type of material burning, whether solid or liquid

Fire extinguishers types and uses
Types of fire extinguishers

A (portable) fire extinguisher is an item of equipment designed for the purpose of extinguishing a fire. Portable fire extinguishers are generally provided as “first attack” units in fire fighting and should be used only in early stages of fire before the fire grows to a stage that is beyond the capacity of the extinguisher. The selection of an extinguisher must be made with the class of fire in mind.
Dandy Solutions LTD is the leading portable fire fighting equipment supplier in Nairobi Kenya. We not only provide Dry powder fire extinguisher but also Water fire extinguisher, Foam fire extinguisher, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher, Wet chemical fire extinguisher and Trolley fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers types and their uses

1. Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

Dandy Solutions LTD is the leading wholesale supplier of Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya. Evidently denoted by a blue label, dry powder fire extinguishers extinguish most types of fires (Class A, B & C) primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction taking place and cutting off the oxygen supply. Furthermore, they are very effective and can be used on fires involving solid combustibles, flammable liquids and electricityExtremely effective with fast flame knock down on flammable liquids and gases. Additionally, these fire extinguisher types leave a residue that may be harmful to sensitive electronics and is dangerous if inhaled and can cause visibility to be reduced. They are ideally suited for garages, workshops, premises with large commercial boiler rooms or places where flammables such as liquid gases and heating oils are stored

Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya come in the following sizes:

0.5kg Dry Powder Extinguisher

1kg Dry Powder Extinguisher

2kg Dry Powder Extinguisher

4kg Dry Powder Extinguisher

6kg Dry Powder Extinguisher

9kg Dry Powder Extinguisher

Characteristics of dry powder fire extinguishers

  1. Firstly, denoted by a blue label
  2. Secondly, they extinguish most types of fires (Class A, B & C) primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction taking place and cutting off the oxygen supply
  3. Thirdly, they are very effective and can extinguish fires involving solid combustibles, flammable liquids and electricity.
  4. Lastly, extremely effective with fast flame knock down on flammable liquids and gases.

What are the common application areas of dry powder fire extinguishers?

  • Ideally suited for garages
  • Workshops
  • Premises with large commercial boiler rooms
  • Places where flammables such as liquid gases and heating oils are stored

How to use a dry powder fire extinguisher:

  1. On fires involving either liquids in containers or spilled liquids, direct the nozzle towards the near edge of the fire.
  2. With the rapid sweeping motion drive the fire towards the far edge until you out out all the flames
  3. On fires involving flowing liquids, direct the nozzle at the base of the flames then sweep upwards.
  4. On fires in electrical equipment, switch off the current if safe to do so and then direct the nozzle straight at the fire.
    Where the equipment is enclosed, direct into any opening with the object of penetrating the interior.
  5. When the fire appears to be extinguished shut off the discharger and wait until the atmosphere clears. If any flame is then still visible, discharge again.

2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguishers Types & Uses

Dandy Solutions LTD is the leading wholesale supplier of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya. Denoted by a black label, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers extinguish fires caused by electrical equipment. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers are harmless to electrical equipment hence making them ideal for use in offices. As a matter of fact, their application areas include workshops, Hospitals, Supermarkets, Hotels, Restaurants, Paint shops, Clothing industries, Industrial units, Fast Food Chains etc. where there are many electrical equipment which pose a risk of fire.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya come in the following sizes:

2kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguisher
4kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguisher
5kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguisher

Characteristics of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers

  • Denoted by a black label
  • Extinguish fires caused by electrical equipment.
  • Lastly, it is harmless to electrical equipment

What are the common application areas of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers?

Common application areas have many electrical equipment which poses a risk of fire. These include:

  1. Workshops
  2. Hospitals
  3. Supermarkets
  4. Hotels
  5. Restaurants
  6. Paint shops
  7. Clothing industries
  8. Industrial units
  9. Fast Food Chains

How to Use a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguisher

  1. DO NOT use Carbon dioxide extinguishers in small confined spaces as the gas will quickly replace the oxygen and may asphyxiate if inhaled.
  2. DO NOT HOLD THE HORN during discharge as it becomes extremely cold. Our Co2 extinguishers are fitted with a double skin insulated horn to prevent cold burns if handled making them easier and safer to use but caution should be exercised. Check the product specification for this feature.
  3. Direct the horn at the core of the fire and discharge working outward as the fire is dowsed.

3. Foam Fire Extinguishers Types & Uses

Dandy Solutions LTD is the leading wholesale supplier of Foam Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya. Denoted by a yellow label, foam fire extinguishers extinguish both Class A & B fires which are those that are fuelled by solid materials and flammable liquids, respectively. They provide a safe, powerful and fast means of extinguishing these class of fires by forming a seal over the surface to prevent re-ignition. Not only are they used in Hospitals but also Supermarkets, Hotels and Restaurants, Paint shops, Clothing industries, Industrial units, Offices and many others

Foam Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya come in the following sizes;
6L Foam Extinguisher
9L Foam Extinguisher

Characteristics of foam fire exitinguishers

  • To begin with, denoted by a yellow label
  • Extinguish both Class A & B fires which are those that are fuelled by solid materials and flammable liquids, respectively
  • Lastly, provide a safe, powerful and fast means of extinguishing these class of fires by forming a seal over the surface to prevent re-ignition

What are the common application areas of foam fire extinguishers?

  1. Best suited for protection against large industrial hazards
  2. Hospitals
  3. Supermarkets
  4. Paint shops
  5. Clothing industries
  6. Industrial units
  7. Large offices and many others

How to use a foam fire extinguisher on Class B liquid fires

  1. Where the liquid on fire is in a container, direct the spray at the back edge of the container or at an adjoining vertical surface above the level of the burning liquid. This allows the foam to build up and flow across the surface of the liquid to smother the fire.
  2. Where this is not possible stand well back, direct the spray over the fire with a gentle sweeping movement, allow the foam to drop down and lie on the surface of the burning liquid. (Also use this procedure to tackle Class A type fires involving solids).
  3. Do not aim the spray directly into the liquid as this will drive the foam beneath the liquid surface and render it ineffective. In addition aiming foam directly into the liquid may splash the fire onto the surroundings, potentially spreading the fire.

4. Water Fire Extinguishers Types & Uses

Dandy Solutions LTD is the leading wholesale supplier of Water Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya. Denoted by a red label, water fire extinguishers extinguish ONLY Class A fires which are those resulting from solid combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles. Never use on fires involving electrical equipment because of the risk of electric shock. As a matter of fact, Water fire extinguishers aren’t suitable for Class B fires either (fires fuelled by flammable liquids like oils, grease and petrol) as the discharge stream could actually spread out the flammable liquid. They are one of the most useful and cost-effective ways to put out free-burning materials such as paper, wood and fabrics. Not only are they suitable for supermarkets but also Hotels, Public places, Restaurants, Hospitals, Industrial units and many others.

Water Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya come in the following sizes:
9L Water Fire Extinguisher

5. Trolley Fire Extinguishers Types & Uses

Dandy Solutions LTD is the leading wholesale supplier of Trolley Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya. As a matter of fact, these types of fire extinguishers are ideal for protection against large industrial hazards and come filled with different extinguishers.

Trolley Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya come in the following sizes:
25l Foam Trolley Fire Extinguisher
50l Foam Trolley Fire Extinguisher
25kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Trolley Fire Extinguisher
50kg Powder Trolley Fire Extinguisher
25kg Powder Trolley Fire Extinguisher

6. What are Automatic Fire Extinguishers?

Automatic Fire Extinguishers are for fixed installation adjacent a fire risk and discharge automatically if a fire occurs. Moreover, an automatic fire extinguisher puts out class A, B and C fires without requiring any human intervention. This is possible through the presence of a special heat-sensitive glass bulb on each unit which bursts when the temperature rises to 68°C. This makes the automatic fire extinguishers suitable for unmanned or confined locations such as engine or plant rooms, switch rooms, boats and vehicles

Please note: Mount Automatic Fire Extinguishers centrally over the area of interest, with the discharge nozzle pointing vertically downwards away from the ceiling.

Dandy Solutions LTD stocks the following automatic fire extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya:

6kg Automatic Fire Extinguisher

9kg Automatic Fire Extinguisher

12kg Automatic Fire Extinguisher

Typical features of automatic fire extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya include:

Puts out class A, B and C fires without requiring any human intervention

Powerful fire fighting capability

Suitable for use on class A, B and C fires

Composed of dry chemical powder

Supplied with fixing bracket

7. Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers 

Dandy Solutions LTD is the leading wholesale supplier of Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya. Equally important to note is they have a yellow label and extinguish class A & F Fires. These ranges of extinguishers are specialists in regards to cooking fires caused by fat and oils. Extinguishers such as Water, Foam, Powder & CO2 will not always put out big cooking fires and are also extremely dangerous because the pressure of these extinguishers can cause the oil to jet out and cause serious harm.

How do Wet Chemical Extinguishers work?

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers contains a solution of potassium which effectively attacks the flame in two methods:

Firstly the mist cools the fire and lowers the temperature to stop the fire spreading, also prevents splashing of the hot oils/fat.

Secondly the potassium salts react with the hot oil and causes the process of saponification, coating the surface of the cooking oil or fat in soapy foam that is non-combustible and acts as a barrier between the fat and oil.

Where are Wet Chemical Extinguishers most suitable for use?

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers are ideal for Restaurants and Kitchens, being for use on fats and oils.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers in Nairobi Kenya come in the following sizes:

6L Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher

Characteristics of Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers:

  1. Denoted by a yellow label
  2. Extinguish class A & F Fires. These ranges of extinguishers are specialists in regards to cooking fires caused by fat and oils.
  3. Contains a solution of potassium which effectively attacks the flame

What are the common application areas of wet chemical fire extinguishers?

  • Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers are ideal for Restaurants
  • Ideal for kitchens; being for use on fats and oils.

How to use a wet chemical fire extinguisher

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are ideal for deep fat frier fires and fat fires (Class F), although some can also extinguish class A fires (solids).

Only tackle small fires with an extinguisher. If the fire has taken hold do not fight the fire but evacuate immediately and warn others of the fire, then call the fire and rescue service. If you tackle the fire make sure you stay at a safe distance and follow the instructions below.

  1. Turn off the heat source if it is safe to do so.
  2. Ensure you remain at a safe distance from the fire and remove the safety pin, this will also break the tamper seal.
  3. Hold the lance at arm’s length, with the nozzle above the fire.
  4. Squeeze the lever slowly to begin discharging the extinguisher.
  5. Apply the fine spray in slow circular movements, this allows the wet chemical agent to fall gently onto the surface of the fire and helps to prevent hot oils or fats splashing the user or spreading the fire.
  6. Lastly, discharge the entire contents of the extinguisher to ensure that all of the fire is put out, the wet chemical formula helps to prevent re-ignition. The foam blanket stops supply of oxygen to the fire and cools the hot fats and oils.

Call +254748246998 to place your order

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