What Are Air / Water Fire Extinguishers?
Water extinguishers are basically the most common and widely used fire extinguishers all around the world. Air Water fire extinguishers are responsible for taking care of class A and B fires.
The best thing about these portable fire extinguishers is that they are environment-friendly and cause no potential harm to the environment.
As the name shows, the portable water extinguisher is filled with water that is sprayed at the fire emergency area at very high pressure, and thus they help in wiping out the existence of the fire.
Water extinguishers are widely used in homes, small buildings, offices, schools, and colleges where they can deal with class-A fires which include wood, paper, textiles, etc.
Different Types of Water Extinguishers:
There are 4 different types of water extinguishers based on their mechanism of action.
Water Jet Extinguishers:
Water jet extinguishers are the classic fire extinguisher that sprays a high utilizing jet of water on the fire or the burning materials, extinguishing it and preventing any potential chances of re-ignition of the fire.
Water jet extinguishers are not the best choice around electrical appliances because water conducts electricity, and there are chances of a shock to the person extinguishing the fire.
Water Spray Extinguishers:
A water spray fire extinguisher, also known as a water mist spray extinguisher sprays non-ionized and non-conductive water droplets on the burning materials or fire flames to kill the fire.
Water spray extinguishers do not leave the area soaking because the water droplets are too tiny and are sprayed at such high pressure.
Does that mean they are not capable of putting off the fire?
No, obviously they kill the fire flames very efficiently and are somewhat better than the classic water extinguishers because the traditional water fire extinguishers leave the area soaking wet.
Water spray or water mist fire extinguishers are used; for wiping out class A fires in the area where there are odds of electrical hazards.
Water-Fire Extinguishers with Foaming Solvent:
Foam fire extinguishers or water extinguishers with foaming solvents are the most versatile forms of water extinguishers.
They are capable of putting off Class A and B fires and are the best fire extinguishers to wipe out fires caused by liquids such as Petrol and Diesel.
They are known to be more versatile than water jet extinguishers because they work for both solids (wood, textiles, paper) as well as for liquids.
They soak more efficiently in the burning material and can thus put off the fire and minimize the chances of re-ignition of fire.
Water Mist / Fog Extinguishers:
The mechanism of action of the fog extinguishers is very much similar to the water spray extinguishers.
Both use de-ionized water droplets to create a fog that puts off the fire flames.
The main difference between the two fire extinguishers is that the latter does the work more efficiently and more energetically.
It absorbs more heat and energy and wipes fire out of existence at a much faster rate.
Why Air / Water Fire Extinguishers are the Most Commonly Used Fire Extinguishers?
We encounter Class A fires most commonly in our homes, schools, colleges, and offices. Class A fire includes wood, paper, textile, and some forms of plastic.
Water extinguishers are not only user-friendly, but they are very cost-effective as well.
And there are no cons other than the electrical appliances. Water extinguishers should be handled with extreme care when surrounded by electrical appliances.
How Do I Use Air Water Fire Extinguisher?
Water extinguishers need professional practice, but still, you should be extra cautious while using a fire extinguisher on your own.
A fire emergency is no joke make sure to read the instructions given below before having a first-hand experience with the Air Water fire extinguishers:
Make sure that your fire extinguisher is fully charged. How to know if it is fully charged? The safety pin should be in the right place and should not be bent. And the pressure gauge must be in the green area.
Before using the fire extinguisher in the fire emergency area, quickly examine the area; for any potential electrical hazards. You might not want to hurt your own self while saving others.
Make sure to maintain a safe distance from the blazing fire flames, and carefully take out the safety pin to break the tamper seal.
What is the best way of holding the hose of the fire extinguisher, and how to move it across the spreading fire?
If the fire is spreading vertically, aim the hose at the base and gradually go upwards in the direction of the flames.
Whereas, if the fire is spreading horizontally, point the hose at the base and move across the direction of the spreading fire.
Carefully move closer to the areas where the fire has diminished.
Take a closer look for any hot spots left that may cause re-ignition.