C02 Extinguishers – Keep One In The House In The Event Of A Fire
Fire behaves in a manner that is similar to a living thing. It tends to replicate a monster that devours everything in its path. If you have ever seen a forest fire then you know how this monster can destroy hundreds and thousands of acres of trees and brush. In order to stop fire it needs to be suffocated. C02 extinguishers are used to suffocate fires.
An uncontrolled fire, such as a home on fire, will burn in a wild manner. In order to stop this out of control monster you literally need to suffocate it. Fires feed on fuel and oxygen as do most living things. All living things eat and require oxygen to survive.
Smothering a fire is accomplished by removing the chance for it to get fuel from oxygen. The most common smothering agent for house fires is to use c02 extinguishers. These extinguishers contain Carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a gas that reduces the amount of oxygen in the air. These two gasses cannot exist together. Carbon dioxide removes the oxygen out of the air and is therefore a reliable way to smother a fire.
There are several classes of fires. The most common is Class A; this is combustibles such as wood and paper. Class B fires are caused by flammable liquids such as gas. Class C fires are caused by electricity. These fires are often caused by a poorly insulated or wire that has gotten its housing cut. The wire sparks and sets the things around it on fire. C02 extinguishers are intended for Class B and Class C fires.
While normal combustibles like paper can be put by the use of water. Water will not work well with Class B and Class C fires. Water will only cause the fire to grow and get further out of hand. This is why it is important to keep a cO2 extinguisher in your home.
The c02 inside of extinguishers is in a liquid form but when it mixes with air it transforms into a snow like substance that foams out of the extinguisher. This foam it what you see used most often to put out household fires that are caused by electricity or flammable gas.
When operating a C02 extinguishers it is important that you never point it at someone. Pointing the extinguisher down toward the bottom of the fire, pull the safety plug. This thin pin is in the handle to keep the extinguisher from going off inadvertently. Squeeze the lever and spray the c02 in sweeping motion side to side, like you would move a mop. When the fire starts to die you can start to spray higher into the far edges of the fire. Continue to do this till the fire has died.
Another use of a c02 extinguisher is chill beer. This is the fastest way to chill warm beer. Aim the extinguisher at the beer bottles inside of a bucket or cooler and let it rip. Naturally you will want to rinse the bottles off before opening them.
Jason Williams is an expert in home alarm systems. If you would like more information about CO2 extinguishers or are searching for a reputable fire extinguisher company please visit http://www.adt.co.uk
Use the Highlighter