Wet chemical fire extinguisher, A Class F fire extinguisher is designed specifically to keep cooking oils and fats out of the flames, providing the best possible solution for food service situations such as canteens and commercial kitchens. Foam extinguishers create a protective layer of foam on the burning oil or fat, which cuts off oxygen, thus preventing the fire from spreading. There is a wide range of sizes of dry chemical fire extinguishers to suit your specific needs.
What is a Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher?
Fire extinguishers made of dry chemicals can quickly and simply handle fires caused by plastic, paper, and wood. As it turns out, chemical fire extinguishers are not as effective as dry chemical fire extinguishers when it comes to kitchen fires because they pose a danger to the environment and may not control the flames. The chemical wet extinguisher is the perfect solution for putting out a fire like this.
What is Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher made of?
Fire extinguishers that use wet chemicals typically contain potassium acetate, also known as potassium citrate or potassium bicarbonate. With chemical extinguishers made with wet mixtures, fine mist is created to cool and eliminate flame sputtering.
There are chemical fire extinguishers that are only meant to extinguish fires caused by cooking oil of class F. Saponification refers to the process whereby chemical extinguishers deplete the oxygen in the cooking oil and prevent it from blowing up. Therefore, it is recommended to empty the extinguisher on the fire.
An innovative new technology for extinguishing fires caused by deep fat cooking, wet chemical fire extinguishers are a relatively new invention. Normal extinguishers will not cool a deep fat fire and can cause the hot oil to splash onto the user, which is dangerous, but a wet chemical fire extinguisher fixes all that.
How does it work?
Potassium is the essential ‘chemical’ component of Wet chemical fire extinguishers.
Saponification is the process by which wet chemicals form a soapy substance through the reaction with oil. By cooling and emulsifying burning liquids, saponification extinguishes the flame and seals the surface to prevent inflammation.
This saponification process then creates a thick, slippery foam film on the surface of the oil, smothering the fat and preventing it from reigniting. Moreover, the chemical foam will continue to cool the fat for a prolonged period of time.
It is imperative that the contents of the extinguisher be completely emptied into the fat fryer as soon as possible to begin the cooling process. The quality extinguishers are made from stainless steel due to the fact that the contents can be corrosive. Those made of mild steel that are cheaply imported from the Middle East will have a shorter lifespan and will most likely have problems with their linings.
How to Use a Wet Chemical Extinguisher
The majority of wet chemical fire extinguishers are used to put out Class F fires, though some are also used for putting out Class A fires.
You should only use an extinguisher on small fires. Do not attempt to extinguish large fires. As soon as you are aware of a large fire, evacuate and notify others. Then call the fire department. If you decide to tackle the fire, please follow the instructions below and remain at a safe distance from the fire.
- It is always a good idea to turn off the heat source if possible.
- Remove the safety pin from the tamper seal and remain at a safe distance from the fire.
- Place the nozzle of the lance above the fire while holding the lance at arm’s length.
- Start discharging the extinguisher by slowly pressing the lever.
- This allows the chemical agent to gently fall onto the fire surface while preventing hot oils from splashing the user and spreading the fire. Next, apply the fine spray with slow circular movements to prevent the chemical agent from corroding metal surfaces.
- Ensure that all of the extinguisher’s contents are used to extinguish the fire if you want to prevent re-ignition. Using a foam blanket, you can stop the oxygen supply to the fire and cool hot fats and oils.
The following points explain why fire extinguisher training is so important:
- People need to know what extinguishers to use:
Fire extinguishers can be classified into many kinds, each designed to extinguish a different kind of fire. A fire extinguisher that is used in the wrong situation can result in disastrous results and ignite the fire. A high-quality fire extinguisher training program will teach people what kind of extinguisher is suitable for what kind of fire.
- People need to learn how to use fire extinguishers properly:
When it comes to using any fire extinguisher, there is a right and a wrong way. Unfortunately, when it comes to fighting a small office fire, many people are unaware of the right way, which leads to ineffectiveness. However, when people receive training, they are able to hold and use their extinguishers correctly, saving valuable seconds.
- The risk of panic will be reduced:
It is common for people to panic when something tragic happens at the workplace, such as a fire. However, the risk of serious burn injuries or damage from a fire can be greatly reduced if these people have received good fire training.
- There will be fewer serious injuries or deaths:
When there is a fire at the workplace, people can panic as well as use incorrect fire extinguishers, resulting in serious injury or even fatalities. There are actually different types of fire extinguishers that are actually capable of extinguishing different types of fire, which is why it is so important for anyone trying to use an extinguisher to receive at least some basic training.
- In this way, sparks won’t erupt into larger fires:
It is not uncommon for workplace fires to begin small, and if trained professionals respond quickly to the fire, they can often extinguish it. Nevertheless, if no one else around the area has any training in fire extinguishing, this would not be possible. Therefore, as a company, you and your employees should make sure that you’re capable of utilizing fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and other safety equipment to put out fires and prevent them from spreading.
The following are six things you should remember when using a fire extinguisher:
- The fire extinguisher should be used according to the instructions
It is not a joke to use a fire extinguisher. However, every fire extinguisher works slightly differently, so an experienced firefighter should be able to handle each correctly and effectively.
- Extinguish the correct type of fire with the right extinguisher
To stop a fire from spreading to other things, it is important to use the correct fire extinguisher. In the case of an oil fire, using water will increase the severity of the fire and increase your risk of becoming injured.
- Be careful not to rush into anything unprepared
It’s important to take a few moments to ensure you’re approaching the fire safely, even if your instinct is to run towards the fire to prevent it from spreading. One way to do this is to look at the source and how the fire is progressing. It is advisable to use the information provided above to position yourself well to reduce the risk of damaging your health in any way.
- When extinguishing a flame, avoid standing too close
Oil splashed onto the skin, particularly while on fire, can lead to third-degree burns and permanent scarring. You should not stand too close to the extinguisher to extinguish a fire since the discharge range should be at least 2 meters.
- Fire extinguishers should not be used in windy conditions
Suppose you aim the fire extinguisher hose directly in the opposite direction of the oppositional wind. In that case, you will not reach the targeted fire base. As a result, you will not be able to do anything about it.
- Keep an eye on the area after you’ve extinguished the fire
Even though it may seem like the fire has been extinguished, it may reappear in the right conditions. Professions should supervise the area for a period of time that has been deemed appropriate. Extinguishers used by inexperienced users may fail to target the exact source of a fire, leading to it spreading further as they will not be able to pinpoint the origin.
Advantages
- In the event of a class F fire, a wet chemical fire extinguisher reduces the fire quickly. As the soapy mist leaves a barrier, the fire is less likely to reignite after the extinguisher has been expelled.
- As the extinguisher has low pressure, there is less opportunity for cooking fats and oils to splash around, increasing the likelihood of the fire spreading or injuring someone.
- After using this equipment, you can quickly and easily clean it up.
Disadvantages
- Wet chemical fire extinguishers contain an alkaline solution. As a result, aluminum and some other metals are corrosion-prone.
- Besides irritating the eye and skin, the solution can also irritate. Therefore, it is recommended to clean up immediately.
- Fires caused by electricity are not suitable for wet chemical fire extinguishers.
Kidde Multipurpose Fire Extinguishers, 2 Pack, Red
This Kidde Fire Extinguisher is ideal for home and business use. It has a metal valve and handle, and an easy to read gauge that tells you when the fire extinguisher is charged and ready for use. The unit also features an easy to pull safety pin, commercial grade metal lever, and all-metal construction that makes it light weight. This Kidde Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher 1A 10BC meets US Coast Guard requirements for flotation devices.
The Kidde Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher 1A 10BC has a 6-year limited warranty and is UL listed. It is ideal for use at home, commercial buildings, schools, or even for the boat. The unit is made of metal shells and contains a dry chemical powder. The extinguisher can fight standard fires involving paper, wood, trash, clothing, kitchens flammables liquids (not intended for use on energized electrical equipment or on some kinds of energized electrical equipment without first de-energizing) and flammable metals.
Features
- All-Metal Construction
- Meets US Coast Guard Requirements for Flotation Devices
- 6 Year Limited Warranty
- Lightweight at approximately 4lbs
- Easy to Read Gauge
- Pinned Safety Handle with Commercial Grade Metal Lever
Pros
The safety handle of the Kidde Fire Extinguisher is easy to grip and pull
The metal valve of Kidde Fire Extinguisher is strong and sturdy
The gauge of the Kidde Fire Extinguisher is easy to read
Cons
The pin is hard to pull
