Question

Name the three main types of fire extinguishers and state the application of each.

Answer 1

The most common types of fire extinguishers used on different types of fire fuels are:

1. Water fire extinguisher: Water extinguishers are filled with water and used to fight fires that involved wood, paper, cloth, or other combustible solids.

• Water extinguishers must never be used for fires that involved electrical equipment.

2. Dry chemical fire extinguisher: Dry chemical powder and have a similar application as a liquefied gas extinguisher.

• They are mostly used for fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease and gasoline oil.

3. ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ fire extinguishers or Liquefied gas extinguishers: Liquefied gas extinguishers contain either Carbon dioxide or a gas called halon.

• They are used to fight fires that involve combustible liquid such as gasoline or cooking greases, and electrical.

Note:- To operate most extinguishers, a person pulls the locking pin and operating lever while aiming the nozzle at the base of the fire.