Knowing what type of fire extinguishers to have in your home is essential to keep your family safe from any fire emergency. It is also important to have your cylinders routinely checked by certified fire extinguisher testing companies. With regard to fire extinguisher testing, Brisbane has many companies providing the service.
Brisbane is a vibrant city that is active 24/7. Brisbane’s subtropical lifestyle and culturally-diverse population make it one of Australia’s cities that are great to live in. Brisbane also allows its residents to enjoy beautiful sunny days for most parts of the year. It is estimated that Brisbane has more than 280 sunshine-filled days in a year.
If you have newly relocated to Brisbane, you may have watched the news that more than 200 bushfires were spotted in early 2020. This news has probably made you decide to purchase a portable fire extinguisher for your home to prepare yourself for a fire emergency. However, choosing what fire extinguisher to purchase can be challenging if you do not know one type from the other. Therefore, you need to know the different types of fire extinguishers and their uses.
ABC Powder Fire Extinguisher
This type is a multi-purpose fire extinguisher used for fires under the A, B, and C categories. Most homes have this type of fire extinguisher. When putting out a fire, a chemical powder composed of mono ammonium phosphate is sprayed, which blankets and suffocates the fire. This type of extinguisher is effective in breaking any chain reaction in a liquid or gas fuel fire.
Carbon dioxide Fire Extinguisher
This type of extinguisher uses carbon dioxide to negate the effects of oxygen in suppressing the fire’s spread. Remember that fires, to spread, need oxygen. However, when you spray carbon dioxide to a fire, the fire quickly stops spreading and is suffocated. Carbon dioxide extinguishers do not leave any chemical residue and are considered one of the cleanest types of extinguishers. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are perfect for class B fires, which originated from flammable liquids or electrical origin.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher
This type of extinguisher is focused on suppressing class K fires or fires involving animal and vegetable oils. A wet chemical extinguisher unleashes a two-pronged approach in putting a fire out. The first stage is to cool down the fire. The second stage is the formation of a soapy substance that seals the surface of the cooking media on fire. This type of fire extinguisher must be present in your kitchen.
Water Mist Fire Extinguisher
This extinguisher is the most versatile of them all. Water mist fire extinguishers can be used for class A, B, C, and K fires. Likewise, since this fire extinguisher’s main composition is pure, deionized water, this fire extinguisher is non-conductive and, therefore, safe to use for electrical fires. When deionized water mist is sprayed, the large amounts of water mist will prevent oxygen from reaching the fire and suffocating it. Also, the water mist will cool down the affected area. Third, the deionized water particles will not conduct electricity, so they are safe to use for electrical fires.
The four types of fire extinguishers mentioned above are the most common types that you can have for your home. However, it is important to note that you must have them checked regularly by fire extinguisher testing experts to ensure that they are working properly. Concerning fire extinguisher testing, Brisbane has experts providing outstanding services. The chemicals within your cylinders should also be checked if they are still active. If you do not have your extinguishers serviced regularly, then you may as well enter a gunfight, not knowing whether your pistol will work or if it is loaded with bullets.
