The widely used and well known water fire extinguisher is a common occurrance nowadays for several excellent reasons. There are a handful of different types of water fire extinguisher but they pretty much all extinguish fires by removing the same aspect of the fire triangle, heat.
The higher than average specific heat capacity of water makes it the perfect ingredient for getting rid of or shifting heat. That's the reason it is employed in various heating and cooling systems, in establishments, machinery, residences and vehicles. This excellent quality also causes it to be great for taking away heat originating from a fire so as to extinguish it rapidly.
Air Pressurised Water Units
As the name implies, air pressurized water (APW) units use pressurized air to drive the extinguishing solution (water in this instance) towards the fire. APW units are fairly low cost and after a fire has been extinguished water is fairly straightforward to clear.
On most occasions a lot of the water has probably dried already making the clean-up effort easier still. Water fire extinguishers are generally decorated solid red because this is the standard colour code for water.
Water Mist Fire Extinguishers
A different deviation of the water fire extinguisher relies on a fine spray instead of a jet of water. They use a fine misting nozzle that will separate the flow of water making sure that it's no longer capable of conducting electric power to the user.
The de-ionized water is incredibly safe and doesn't contaminate it's surroundings. This will make it perfect for use within hospitals. This sort of water fire extinguisher is also coated red in the European Union however in the USA they are frequently white colored.
Additives Found in Water Fire Extinguishers
Wetting agents are sometimes utilized in water extinguishers. Most are detergent based and they are used to break the surface tension on the water. This can help water to penetrate the organic substance (paper, lumber or cloth for instance) that is burning.
Antifreeze is generally added to the water. This is often helpful whenever using water based units in really cold conditions. Antifreeze will bring down the freezing point of the water make it possible for it to be useful for longer in wintry temperatures.
Adding the antifreeze won't have noticeable adverse effects on the extinguishing capabilities either. Water based extinguishers are more effective on Class A fires. We have to take into account that water extinguishers of any variation really should not be applied to live electric powered equipment because this can be dangerous.
The higher than average specific heat capacity of water makes it the perfect ingredient for getting rid of or shifting heat. That's the reason it is employed in various heating and cooling systems, in establishments, machinery, residences and vehicles. This excellent quality also causes it to be great for taking away heat originating from a fire so as to extinguish it rapidly.
Air Pressurised Water Units
As the name implies, air pressurized water (APW) units use pressurized air to drive the extinguishing solution (water in this instance) towards the fire. APW units are fairly low cost and after a fire has been extinguished water is fairly straightforward to clear.
On most occasions a lot of the water has probably dried already making the clean-up effort easier still. Water fire extinguishers are generally decorated solid red because this is the standard colour code for water.
Water Mist Fire Extinguishers
A different deviation of the water fire extinguisher relies on a fine spray instead of a jet of water. They use a fine misting nozzle that will separate the flow of water making sure that it's no longer capable of conducting electric power to the user.
The de-ionized water is incredibly safe and doesn't contaminate it's surroundings. This will make it perfect for use within hospitals. This sort of water fire extinguisher is also coated red in the European Union however in the USA they are frequently white colored.
Additives Found in Water Fire Extinguishers
Wetting agents are sometimes utilized in water extinguishers. Most are detergent based and they are used to break the surface tension on the water. This can help water to penetrate the organic substance (paper, lumber or cloth for instance) that is burning.
Antifreeze is generally added to the water. This is often helpful whenever using water based units in really cold conditions. Antifreeze will bring down the freezing point of the water make it possible for it to be useful for longer in wintry temperatures.
Adding the antifreeze won't have noticeable adverse effects on the extinguishing capabilities either. Water based extinguishers are more effective on Class A fires. We have to take into account that water extinguishers of any variation really should not be applied to live electric powered equipment because this can be dangerous.
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