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| Fire
Extinguishers - Which is Best for the Job |
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Thanks
to FS2 Gregory Berry, USCG Boothbay Harbor Maine for
a detailed explanation of the different fire
extinguishers available to fight certain kinds of
fires. Just as
a reminder:
- Class
A fires are combustible solids such as wood,
fiberglass, cloth, etc.
- Class
B fires are flammable liquids such as gasoline,
diesel, etc.
- Class
C fires are electrical
Portable,
handheld fire extinguishers have to be USCG approved
but how do you know which approved extinguisher you
should use? Fire extinguishers contain different
extinguishing agents and are labeled so that you
know which one is best for the particular type of
fire you have.
|
| Type
of Extinguisher |
Class
of Fire |
Notes: |
|
Carbon
Dioxide
(C02)
|
B,
C |
Carbon
Dioxide is a class B, C, agent only. Because of the
CO2 high pressure, it is not recommended for use on
Class A, amber and ash based fires. Why? Because of
the hazard of spreading the fire when blasting it
with the high pressure gas.
|
Halon
(until year 2000) |
A,
B, C |
Halon
1211 carries the A, B, C rating only in a capacity
of 9 pounds. Units smaller than 9 pounds only carry
the B, C rating. Halon gas vaporizes to quickly to
maintain a Class A fire in small quantities.
|
| Dry
Chemical |
B,
C |
Dry
chemical extinguishers come in three varieties.
Sodium Bicarbonate B, C (Alkaline); Potassium
Bicarbonate, Purple "K", B, C (Alkaline);
and Mono Ammonium Phosphate A, B, C (Acidic). The A,
B, C dry chemical is not recommended for marine use
for two reasons:
- It
is corrosive
- The
way in which this agent obtains it class A
rating is its ability to melt, seep and encase.
This necessitates dismantling of equipment to
repair or rebuild.
|
| Foam |
A,
B |
Foam
extinguishers are water based and quench Class A
fires. They also blanket, smother and separate the
vapor layer in Class B fires.
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