J O S H D E G UZ M A N

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

TYPES OF FIRES

• Class A: fires in ordinary combustibles; wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastics• Class B: fires in flammable liquids and

gases; gasoline, petroleum oil, paint, propane, butane• Class C: fires involving energized electrical

equipment; motors, transformers, appliances• Class D: fires in combustible metals;

potassium, sodium, aluminum, magnesium• Class K: fires in cooking oils and greases;

animal and vegetable fats

TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS• Water and Foam – take away heat element;

separate oxygen element from other elements; Class A

• Carbon Dioxide – take away oxygen element; remove heat with cold discharge; Class B, C

• Dry Chemical – interrupt chemical reaction; barrier between oxygen element and fuel element; Class A, B, C

• Wet Chemical – removes heat element; prevents re-ignition with barrier of oxygen/fuel element; Class K

• Halogenated/Clean Agent – interrupt chemical reaction; halon agent and halocarbon agent; Class B, C

• Dry Powder – separate fuel from oxygen element; remove heat element; Class D

CHEMICALS IN FIRE EXTINGUISHERS• Dry Chemicals:• Mono ammonium phosphate – nonconductive, corrosive; Class A, B, C• Sodium bicarbonate – nontoxic, noncorrosive; Class B, C• Potassium bicarbonate – nonconductive, noncorrosive; Class B, C

• Wet Chemicals:• Potassium acetate-based agent – Class K

• Halons:• Bromochlorodifluoromethane (CF2ClBr) or Halon 1211 - Class B, C• Bromotrifluoromethane (CF3Br) or Halon 1301 – Class B, C

• Hydrofluorocarbons:• CHF3, C2HF5, C3HF7 – Class B, C

• Metal Powders:• Copper or sodium chloride – Class D

HEALTH RISKS FROM EXPOSURE• Carbon dioxide:• Headache, SOB, increase BP, dizziness (4-10%)• Unconsciousness, muscle twitching (10-15%)• Coma (17%) or death (34%)

• Dry powder:• Irritation of nose, throat, eyes, skin • Gastric distress• Case study – inhaled dry chemical extinguisher spray during car accident• Prevent lungs from exchanging oxygen; hypoxia• Severe hypoxia causes build up of lactic acid• Results in cardiac arrest• Possible ARDS – powder causes lungs to build up fluid

• Halon:• Asphyxiation• Frostbite burns• Skin/eye irritation• Unconsciousness, dizziness• Irregular heartbeats, heart attack

SOURCES

• http://www.atmos.umd.edu/~russ/MSDS/ABC_fire_extinguisher_1.htm

• http://www.ehow.com/list_6185441_health-exposure-fire-extinguisher-chemicals.html

• http://www.emergencymgmt.com/health/Health-Risks-Fire-Extinguishers.html

• http://www.femalifesafety.org/types-of-extinguishers.html

• http://homeguides.sfgate.com/ingredients-fire-extinguisher-94660.html

• https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/portable_about.html

• http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-chemicals-are-used-i/