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What chemical is in a wet chemical fire extinguisher?

What chemical is in a wet chemical fire extinguisher?

Wet chemicals contain a specifically formulated extinguishant that reacts with oil to form a soapy substance through a process called saponification. When applied to burning liquids, the saponification process cools and emulsifies, extinguishing the flame and sealing the surface to prevent reignition.

Which compound is used in fire extinguisher?

Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound that is used in both fire extinguishers and antacids. Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a chemical compound with the formula .

What’s inside a water fire extinguisher?

Water extinguishers, which are the most common, are essentially tanks full of water, often with nitrogen or carbon dioxide as the propellant to make them come out. Water extinguishers work mainly by removing heat from the fire, though they also help to cut off a fire’s oxygen supply.

What is a wet chemical fire?

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are usually supplied with a long lance which helps to safely deploy the foam. The wet chemical forms a thick soapy foam-like blanket over the surface of the burning oil/fat which stops oxygen from reaching the fire and smothers the flames.

What should you not use a wet chemical fire extinguisher?

Wet chemical fire extinguishers need to be used very carefully, to avoid splashing burning fat or oil onto surrounding areas.

Which gas is used in fire extinguisher cylinder?

Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) Due to its physical properties, carbon dioxide is the only extinguishing gas that is also used in fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing devices.

What is the stuff that comes out of a fire extinguisher?

Carbon Dioxide is a non-flammable gas that extinguishes the fire by displacing oxygen or taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle. The carbon dioxide is also very cold as it comes out of the extinguisher, so it cools the fuel as well.

What makes a wet chemical fire extinguisher work?

The ‘chemical’ element of wet chemical fire extinguishers is potassium. Potassium salts are sprayed out as a fine mist (gently, so as not to spread the burning oil or fat), and these react to create a soapy film on the surface of the substance on fire.

What are the ingredients in a Class K fire extinguisher?

Class K extinguishers are wet chemical fire extinguishers and are often found in commercial cooking areas. These contain a potassium acetate-based agent that is discharged from the extinguisher as a fine mist that forms a soapy foam.

What kind of gas is used in a fire extinguisher?

In these situations, fire extinguishers use different materials–ones that flood a protected compartment with a fire-fighting gas. CO2 works well, but is fatal at the concentrations necessary to extinguish a fire, and so cannot be used where people will be present. Bromotrifluoromethane (CF3Br, or halon 1301) is a close cousin to halon 1211,

Can you use water in a fire extinguisher?

Historically, water has been the most common fire extinguishing ingredient and is often used in combination with chemicals in fire extinguishers, but it’s not best for all types of fires. Because it is conductive, it is not used in Class B, C or K fire extinguishers. If water were used in these types of fires, it would only worsen the blaze.