DISCUSSION

class of fire
Clas
s

Classification

Fires in solid fuel, eg; wood, cloth, paper, coal

Fires in Inflammable liquids, eg; petrol, oils, kerosene

Fires in Inflammable gases, eg; LNG, propane, butane

Fires in Inflammable metals, eg; uranium, zinc, aluminum, magnesium

Fires caused by an Electrical or Electronic equipments, eg; short-circuit, lighting

1. Regardless of other types of fire extinguisher systems provided, it is essential that every records
storage facility be provided with an adequate supply of well-distributed portable fire extinguishers
suitable for extinguishing fires in paper and plastic records.
2. It is desirable that the type of extinguisher provided be the trigger action type in which the flow
can be started and stopped by the operator.
3. Gaseous extinguishers are not effective for extinguishing deep-seated fires in paper materials.
4. The presence of the proper extinguishers would enable the working or guard force, on
discovering a fire or responding to an alarm from an early warning detection system, to attack and
extinguish the fire while it is small, with minimum damage to the records.
5. It is important that staffs are properly instructed in the use of small fire extinguishers

Fire Extinguishing Agents

Agent

Advantages

Water(Class A)

Always Available
Excellent cooling
properties
Provides protection for
fire party
Best choice for Class A

Forms air-tight blanket

over burning liquids
Minimal chance of reflash
Can be used from
distance-around corners,
from upper decks

Knocks down flames

Fast and effective
15' range
Rated for Class B and C
fires

Safe for Class C

Non-corrosive, non
damaging to equip.
Minimal chance of reflash in sealed space
Effective on small Class
A & B fires in open
spaces

Safe for Class C

Non-corrosive, non
damaging to equip.
Minimal chance of reflash in sealed space
Effective on small Class
A & B fires in open
spaces

Foam(Class B)

Dry-Chemical
(Class B and C)

Carbon Dioxide
(Class A, B and C)

Halon
(Class A, B and C)

Disadvantages

Not to be used on Electrical

Fires
Can reduce stability
Can spread Class B fires
Damages/destroys equipment

Not to be used on Electrical

Fires
Damages/destroys equipment

Minimal Protection against reflash

Highly corrosive to electronic
equip.
Agent can cake and solidify in
container
Displaces oxygen - can kill
firefighters
No re-flash protection in open
spaces

No re-flash protection in open

spaces
In very hot fires, can generate
deadly phosgene gas
No longer available after 2000
AD

Water

A 9 l water extinguisher is installed for each 210m 2 floor area, with a minimum of two
extinguishers per floor.

A high-pressure CO2 cartridge is punctured upon use and a 10m jet of water is produced for 80s.
Water must not be used on petroleum, burning liquids or in kitchens as it could spread the fire.

Dry powder

Dry powder extinguishers contain from 1 to 11 kg of treated bicarbonate of soda powder

pressurized with CO2, nitrogen or dried air.

A spray of 27m is produced for 1024s depending on size. The powder interrupts the chemical
reactions within the flame, producing rapid flame knockdown.

The powder is non-conducting and does little damage to electric motors or appliances.

A deposit of powder is left on the equipment.

Chemical foam

is formed by chemical reaction between sodium bicarbonate and aluminium sulphate dissolved in
water in the presence of a foaming agent. When the extinguisher is inverted the chemicals are
mixed to create foam under pressure which is forced out of the nozzle.

Carbon dioxide

Pressurized CO2 extinguishers leave no deposit and are used on small fires involving solids,
liquids or electricity.

They are recommended for use on delicate equipment such as electronic components and
computers.

The CO2 vapour displaces air around the fire and combustion ceases.

There is minimal cooling effect, and the fire may restart if high temperatures have become
established. Water-cooling backup is used where appropriate.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the objectives are to identify the type of portable fire extinguisher used for different types of
fire classification in the chosen building and illustrate the floor plan to show the location of the
extinguisher were achieved. The building that have been chosen was Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
(FKE) on level 1 and 2. From the result only dry powder fire extinguisher used on the both floor. This is
because dry powder fire extinguisher is suitable for most class of fire.