When Would It Be Dangerous to Use a Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher?

 

What Does Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher Mean?

A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is a portable and active device that works by exiling carbon dioxide onto a fire. It works by displacing the oxygen and it is primarily used on fires caused by flammable liquid or gas.CO2 fire extinguishers are a common form and are applied in situations where water fire extinguishers, Mechanical Foam-Type Fire Extinguishers, or dry chemical fire extinguishers are not befitted. Yet it is usually paired with foam extinguishers. It is a so-called “clean extinguisher” which leaves no residue on the area it is applied.



Dos & Don’ts:
 

  1. Applications- Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are used during two specific fire cases. I) Class B fire which involves flammable liquid like petrol or oil (not cooking oils or fats) and electrical fires and risks. 
  1. Prohibit the usage in closed and confined spaces - The above two situations are a great fit for the application of CO2 extinguishers.

It is also recommended not to be used in closed and confined spaces. The CO2 extinguishers refrain the fire from spreading, but at the same time, it reduces the oxygen which may result in the death of people present in the room.

Another point to remember is if the source of fire is not removed before the dispelled of CO2 then the fire can reignite.


3.      High Pressure- When CO2 from the extinguisher is discharged; it converts from liquid to gas. The working pressure of the water-based unit is 12 BAR whereas, when it turns into a gas it becomes around 55 BAR. In such a case if someone attempts to use the extinguisher without the proper hose and horn fitted, there is a high probability that the kick from the unit can cause injuries to the wrist.



4.      Quicker discharge – Due to the higher pressure, the extinguisher tends to discharge quickly. This means that anyone using the CO2 extinguisher should be certain that the extinguisher might release all the CO2 before the fire is fully put off. So, it should be used efficiently and effectively.


5.      Frost burn – When the CO₂ turns from liquid into gas during the release, the temperature becomes very low. Frost burn also known as frostbite is a risk if the user does not hold the unit in the right way or if the extinguisher is not provided with a frost-free horn.


6.      Electrical risks – While handling electric fire, there is a high risk of electrocution. It’s always best to cut the electricity supply via emergency shut-off switches. So, it becomes safer to check whether the fire is all out or not. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Smoke Inhalation and How to Prevent it

 Introduction Fire is dangerous to mankind. It can kill and injured so many lives and property within a fraction of time. Other than burns, smoke inhalation is the greatest threat caused by fire. Smoke can burn delicate organs and pipe in the body. It may deprive the body of oxygen. The poisonous gases can damage the lungs and throat very badly. A single smoke particle can affect the body in many ways. Symptoms It is a medical emergency. Whenever such cases arise always call for an ambulance. Don’t leave the victim alone. Try to reach the hospital as soon as possible. Some of the most common symptoms are: Cough Change of skin color to cherry red Headache or faint Shortness of breath Treatment Treatment focuses on keeping airways open and providing oxygen. Oxygen may be given through a mask. A chest X-ray may help show damage to the lungs. The carboxyhemoglobin test measures blood levels of carbon monoxide, a deadly gas found in smoke. Prevention It has...
Read more

Essential Role of Four-Way Fire Brigade Connections in Firefighting Operations

Image
  A Four-way fire brigade connection, also known as a four-way Siamese connection, is an essential component of a fire protection system used by firefighters to supply water to a building's fire sprinkler or standpipe system. These connections are typically found on the exterior of buildings and provide a point of connection for fire hoses.  Importance of Four-way fire brigade connections in firefighting These connections serve as a critical component of a building's fire suppression infrastructure and provide several important functions: Increased Water Supply:  Firefighters need lots and lots of water to fight fires. With four-way connections, you can connect more than one hose to one water source to get more water flowing. This is especially important if you're dealing with big fires that need much water to fight and put out. Backup and Redundancy:  In firefighting, redundancy is essential to ensure the water supply remains uninterrupted even if one hose or connec...
Read more

Hose Reel Drum and Hose Pipe Applications

A hose reel drum is a spindle with a cylindrical shape composed of rubber, metal, fiberglass, or plastic that is used to keep a hose pipe in place. Hose reel drums come in various sizes depending on where they will be used (garden, construction, or industry). A flexible tube used to convey water from one area to another is a hosepipe. Hose reel drums and hose pipes are required in every structure. A fire hose reel is intended as a quick-response tool for putting out small flames. Anyone in the building, or the wider public, will likely assault it first.  For class A fires, hose reels are excellent (paper, textiles, wood, plastics, and rubber). When there is an electrical fire, it should not be used. Use of a Fire Hose Reel Drum The hosepipe is kept in hose reel drums. It can be either permanently installed on a wall (wall-mounted) or movable (portable) (attached to a truck). They give nearly endless water since they are connected to the main water supply 24 hours a day, 365 days a ...
Read more