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Dierent Types of Fire Extinguishers Used

on Ships

By Mohit | In: Marine Safety | Last Updated on May 16, 2017 | 9 Minutes To Read

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Dierent types of re extinguishers are used on ships depending on the type of material acting
as fuel. As res are classied on the basis of the type of fuel which sources them, re
extinguishers are also classied on the same grounds.

Portable re extinguishers are installed at dierent parts of the ship according to the type of the
re sources present in that area. Portable re ghter is one of the most convenient and speedy
way to ght re on ships.

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Fire extinguishers are mainly classied into ve main classes

Class A: These types of re extinguishers are used in res which are result of burning of wood,
glass bre, upholstery and furnishing

Class B: These re ghters are used for res which occur from liquids such as lubricating oils
and fuels

Class C: Fires resulting frominvolvement of energized electricalequipmentsuch asmotors,

switches, wiring etcare extinguished by Class C type of re extinguishers

Class D: Fires occurring as a result of combustible materials such as magnesium and aluminium
are extinguished by this type of re extinguishers

Class E: This type of re extinguisher is used for subsiding re resulting from any of the above
mentioned materials along with high voltage electricity

Type of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Based on the above mentioned classication, portable re extinguishers are classied and used
according to the type of re.

There are ve main types of re extinguishers used on ships:

1. Soda Acid Extinguisher

2. Water Extinguisher

3. Foam Extinguisher Chemical and Mechanical

4. Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher

5. Dry Powder Extinguisher

1. Soda Acid Extinguisher

The soda acid extinguisher is used to ght Class A Fires and can be found in accommodation
area of the ship.

Sodium bicarbonate (soda) and sulphuric acid are the prime components of the extinguisher.
They combine to form a chemical reaction to produce carbon dioxide gas, which is used to

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The arrangement of the extinguishers comprises of a container which holds the sodium
bicarbonate solution. A small glass bottle (phial) containing sulphuric acid is placed below a
plunger mechanism, which is covered by a safety glass along with a screw and cap at the top.

When the plunger is struck hard, the glass bottle breaks, resulting in mixing of acid and soda. A
chemical reaction takes place which produces carbon dioxide gas.

The carbon dioxide gas pressurises the space above the liquid (used for extinguishing re) and
forces it out through the internal pipe of the nozzle.

Note: Soda Acid Extinguishers are now banned on ships because of the poisonous eect
which the gas can create.

2. Water Extinguisher

To counter the A- Class re, portable water extinguisher of 9Ltr are used. The outer container is
lled with water and tted with a CO2 Cartridge (inner container) which forces the water out of
the container with pressure.

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To operate the extinguisher, rst the safety pin/clip is released . When pressure is applied on the
plunger, the CO2 cartridge ruptures and forces the water out of the extinguisher.

3. Foam Extinguisher Chemical and Mechanical

Foam extinguishers are used to extinguish Class B res and are located near ammable liquids.

Chemical foam Sodium bicarbonate and aluminium sulphate are the two prime components of
this extinguisher.

The main container is lled with sodium bicarbonate, whereas the inner container is lled with
aluminium sulphate.

The inner container has a cap at the top which is kept in place by a plunger.

The plunger is turned to release the cap and the extinguisher is then inverted for both the
chemicals to mix. Carbon dioxide is produced from the chemical reaction which pressurizes the
container from inside and forces out the foam.

Note: Chemical Foam Extinguishers are now banned on ships because of the poisonous eect
which the gas can create.

Mechanical foam This extinguisher type also consists of two containers- the outer one is lled
with water, whereas the central one has carbon dioxide charge and foam solution.

The central container has a plunger mechanism at the top which when depressed releases the
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The foam and water comes out of the nozzle, creating mechanical foam. This extinguisher is
operated in upright position.

4. Carbon Dioxide extinguisher

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are mainly used for class B or class C res. They are not used for
accommodation areas and conned spaces because the gas used in lethal. These extinguishers
are mainly found in machinery spaces.

Carbon dioxide is stored in liquid form under pressure. A central tube acts as an outlet for the
carbon dioxide gas. A plunger attached to a bursting disc at one end and a trigger at the other is
used to release the carbon dioxide gas. The liquid changes to gas as it comes out of the
extinguisher through a hose.

5. Dry Powder Extinguisher

Sodium bicarbonate powder is used to extinguish almost all types of res. It is mainly located in
engine room and near electrical equipment.

Dry powder extinguisher contains sodium bicarbonate powder in the outer container.

A small container with carbon dioxide is placed beneath the plunger mechanism.

When the plunger is pushed, it releases the carbon dioxide gas, which in turn forces the dry
powder out of the discharge nozzle.
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 Image Credits:Marine Auxiliary by H.D. McGeorge,menshealth,safetyinfo,safetyinfo

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Tags: carbon dioxide extinguisher dry powder extinguisher foam extinguisher general safety
portable re extinguisher soda ash extinguisher types of re extinguishers

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About Mohit
Mohit Kaushik is a marine engineer sailing with Maersk Shipping. He handles website
development and technical support at Marine Insight. Apart from handling web
development projects, he also manages a logistics company and have a keen interest in modern
logistic technologies .

Comments

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 ARAVIND says
APRIL 21, 2012 AT 6:00 PM

THIS IS THE REACTION TAKING PLACE IN SODA ACID EXTINGUISHER

NaHCO3(s)+H2SO4 (arrow) NaHSO4(aq)+CO2(g)+H2O(l)
this reaction is an acid-base neutralization. When sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) reacts with
an acid like sulfuric acid (H2SO4), carbon dioxide (CO2) is released and liquid water (H2O)
and sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO4) are formed

Bill says
MARCH 7, 2016 AT 12:36 PM

These are old!

Non aspirated foam, (AFFF), with spray applicators, is the norm. Stored pressure ( as shown
for dry powder ) shouldnt be used as dicult to recharge on board,
Soda Acid and chemical foam were banned over 30 years ago.
Please keep up!

Anish says
MARCH 8, 2016 AT 12:17 PM

@ Bill: Thank you for your comment. Stored pressure type are still used and not banned by
the authority.
Soda acid an chemical foam are no more used and clearly stated in the article.

Rebecca Wright says

MAY 5, 2017 AT 5:25 AM

I believe its very important that people understand the dierent classes of res and the
types of re extinguishers that are used in each situation. This article talks about the
dierent types of res on ships, such as fuel res, and every structure has dierent types of
materials that can catch on re so using the correct re extinguisher is paramount. I also
believe that homes should be equipped with several types of re extinguishers because
household res are more common than most people would think. If you need any more
information on the dierent classes of res and the appropriate re extinguishers to be used
in each scenario.

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