Fire Extinguisher –
Buying guide
A fire extinguisher may not be very effective against a
large-scale developed fire, but it is extremely effective in dousing an
incipient fire before it goes out of control. This is what makes them so
perfect for homes and offices. Now use of fire extinguisher is increasing every
day. Thanks to FSAI that many people start understanding the use and value of
the extinguisher as it saves from hazardous things like fire. Extinguishers
have the advantage of portability that can be very handy in dousing fires that
are difficult to reach by other mechanisms.
There are lots of stuff that you need to know before you go
for shopping when it comes to this, apart from this there are companies related
to fire extinguishers refilling in India, who can help you when your
extinguisher require refilling. But before that, you should understand few
basic kinds of stuff to avoid any kind complication in future. Here is our
handy extinguisher guide:
Specialist or wide range: Fire safety equipment involves more
than just fire extinguishers and you may want a more comprehensive system. In
that case, you should check if the fire safety extinguishers supplier offers
other firefighting equipment like fire blankets and fire alarms. You can choose
to go with a separate vendors or manufacturers, but a single vendor is more
likely to give you competitive pricing apart from saving your time and effort.
Which size do
you want? Well, the size of your
extinguisher does not affect the working as it only means that you have the
larger volume in the fire extinguisher. However, it depends on the need
and the location/area you want to cover. A multi-stored building will
need an extinguisher on each floor. The area of the floor and partitions within
will again decide the number of extinguishers. For instance, a large floor with
multiple rooms, offices or homes may need multiple extinguishers, while a small
floor may work perfectly well with a single extinguisher. Your car with its
limited space will require a small portable extinguisher.
Selecting the
right type: All extinguishers may look the same,
but they are actually quite different. Extinguishers are classified according
to the type of fire, which depends on the accelerants present. The accelerant
is be the material that is found on the premises and will differ from one
location to another. The classification of fire is as follows:
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Class A: Fires involving organic solids like paper and wood.
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Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids like petrol and diesel.
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Class C: Fires involving flammable gases.
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Class D: Fires involving combustible metals.
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Class E: Fires involving electrical equipment.
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Class F: Fires involving cooking oil and fat.
The type of fire will
decide the agent that we use to extinguish the fire. Agents used in
firefighting are water, wet chemical, foam, dry chemical, dry powder, carbon
dioxide, and vaporizing liquid. Type A fire requires a water extinguisher, while
a Type D fire requires a dry powder extinguisher. So, a water extinguisher may
work in your bedroom, but for your kitchen you may need a wet chemical
extinguisher.
Location: Decide on the location of the extinguisher before you buy
it. There are a few rules here that you must keep in mind:
- It
must be installed above ground.
- It
should be placed in a location where nothing obstructs it path.
- It
should be clearly visible.
- It
should be placed near an exit so that one does not have to walk into the fire
to retrieve it.
- It
should not be placed near an inflammable substance.
Complexity of the extinguisher: Some
fire extinguishers are more difficult to operate Carbon dioxide
extinguishers, for instance, must be handled very carefully since the gas
expelled is extremely cold. In such cases, it is important to ensure that you
have people trained to use such extinguishers.
How to use it? Not just buying is a hectic stuff but also knowing how to
use the fire extinguisher is another thing that you should consider. However,
these modern extinguishers are much easier to use as you just have to follow
PASS which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. After using it, make sure
to refill it again. These are important factors will help you to buy whatever
kind of extinguisher you need. Also, do know about the refilling a recharging
process. Make sure your extinguisher is properly maintained and ready to use
when it is needed. Apart from that, do check the working and the overall
extinguisher to make sure it’s safe for use or not.
Rechargeable or
Disposable: Rechargeable extinguishers have a
metal valve where disposable extinguishers have a plastic valve. While the
rechargeable may seem more expensive, it is more economical in the long-term.
However, if you need the extinguisher for just a short time span, you may
consider disposable extinguisher.
Refilling
services: A fire extinguisher
requires refilling at certain intervals. This will be specified by the
manufacturer. In addition, it must be refilled every time gas is expelled. You
must keep these expenses in mind when buying an extinguisher. Find a fire
extinguishers refilling India agency that offers the best package.
For instance, some agencies offer a comprehensive maintenance package that
includes repairs as well as refilling services that may be more economical in
the long run.
Certification: Every extinguisher must comply with the proper ISO
certification. This means that it meets all the regulations regarding its
working and safety. This is the minimum quality control that you must maintain.
Check for service terms: It is important to see
what kind of services the supplier is offering. Extinguishers need regular
servicing. So, any supplier who also has a servicing facility wins brownie
points. See if you can get a favorable deal along with your extinguisher. Many
suppliers offer complimentary service for a limited period. This should also be
considered in the overall pricing.
So, before you buy an
extinguisher, find out the type of fire that is likely to take place, the area
and availability of fire extinguishers refilling India.