Chemical fire extinguishers inhibit chemical reactions that cause fires and are suitable for Class A, B, and C fires. They contain chemicals under pressure that disperse when activated. They suppress chemical reactions, inhibiting reignition, and require maintenance and periodic inspection. They can be messy and corrosive, so caution is advised.
A chemical fire extinguisher is a fire extinguisher designed to inhibit the chemical reactions that allow a fire to persist and grow. These extinguishers can be used in a number of different settings and are suitable for Class A, B and C fires. For example, many home extinguishers are chemical extinguishers.
These fire extinguishers contain chemicals under pressure that are dispersed when the device is activated. A dry chemical fire extinguisher sets off a powder, but there are also wet chemical fire extinguishers and foam fire extinguishers that spray foam or liquid suspensions. Some companies also make these fire extinguishers in the form of pellets that are thrown into the fire; the heat causes the ball to crack, releasing the chemicals.
Fire needs oxygen, heat and fuel to form and persist. One way to deal with a fire is to remove one of these items. In the case of a chemical fire extinguisher, the fire extinguisher does not actually remove oxygen, fuel or heat, it simply suppresses the chemical reactions between them, effectively putting out the fire. Also, as the chemical extinguisher usually coats the area with a layer of material, it inhibits reignition, allowing fire personnel to intervene to secure the site.
These types of fire extinguishers are very easy to use and safe in a variety of settings. However, there are some precautions to be aware of. The first thing to know is that they can be extremely messy. A mess is better than a fire, but it can be a problem in some types of environments. The chemicals can also be corrosive, potentially causing damage to things like electronic components. Again, some damage is better than a fire, but in areas where corrosion damage is a concern, another type of fire extinguisher may be a more suitable safety product.
A chemical fire extinguisher will only work if it is well maintained. People should have their fire extinguishers inspected periodically, a service that is often offered free of charge at fire stations. Fire extinguishers also need to be replaced or refilled after use, ideally as quickly as possible, to ensure that a fire extinguisher will be available in the future when needed. It is also important that any resident or worker in a building knows where fire extinguishers are located and how they work.
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