Water fire extinguishers are an effective way of dealing with small fires. As a result, they can be used in your home or business and are inexpensive, but they have limitations. Water fire extinguishers are an ideal way to fight Class A fires. The most common type of fire extinguisher on the market, the water fire extinguisher is efficient and easy to use. Water fire extinguishers work by applying pressure directly onto the flames and cooling them down, thereby preventing them from spreading further.
Water-based solutions can also be applied in order to prevent rekindling after a fire has been put out. Shop Fire Extinguishers Here
For a Fire to Burn, Three Elements are Needed
Fires require three things: oxygen, heat and fuel.
Firstly, oxygen is the most important component of this equation because without oxygen there is no fire. You can think of heat as the second most important component. Because without sufficient heat there will not be enough energy to ignite or sustain combustion in an area where fuel has been introduced.
Lastly, fuel is the least important component since it does not provide enough energy by itself to cause a fire on its own. If you take away all other elements except for fuel, regardless of how much fuel you have, nothing will happen.
So, How does a Water Fire Extinguisher Work?
The BIG question… How do Water Fire Extinguishers Work?
Water fire extinguishers are the most common type of fire extinguisher and they are suitable for fighting Class A fires (flammable combustibles). Be sure to read your instruction manual before attempting to use your water fire extinguisher as they should only be used on two or three types of fires.
Water fire extinguishers work by utilising water to cool the burning fuel surface of the fire. You should unload the entirety of the extinguisher until the flame is below its ignition temperature. In other words, it can no longer continue to burn.
- Water is NOT a fuel.
- It cannot burn or produce heat when it is heated.
- Water can conduct heat extremely well
- Water is an effective insulator (it slows down the spread of flame).
To clarify, these characteristics make water an excellent choice for extinguishing fires in homes, offices and factories. Water fire extinguishers work on Class A fires, which include wood, paper, cloth and many other common household materials. It is not recommended that you use a water fire extinguisher on Class B or electrical fires since they can damage sensitive electronics and electrical equipment. They should also not be used on burning oil or grease as the water may cause more damage than good.
Water Fire Extinguishers Only Work on Class A Fire
Water fire extinguishers work on Class A fires only. Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials, such as wood or paper. Never use a water fire extinguisher on any other type of fire. It will do more harm than good!
Water fire extinguishers are not effective against Class B fires because they involve flammable liquids, such as petrol or oil. The water in a water fire extinguisher will make these types of liquid even more dangerous to handle than before. Because it can cause them to splash and spread even further if used improperly!
The Drawbacks of a Water Extinguisher
Water has some drawbacks when used as a fire extinguisher. It can be ineffective in electrical fires, fires involving flammable liquids, and fires involving combustible metals.
For example, water will not put out oil-based fires and can even cause them to spread. Water is also not safe for use with chlorine gas because it will release the gas into the air where it can be inhaled by people nearby.
Average Water Fire Extinguisher Rating
The average water fire extinguisher has a rating of 10A. 10A rating means that it is effective at dealing with fires involving up to 10 square metres of ordinary combustible material, such as wood or paper.
To clarify, this does not mean that if you have a larger fire, you need to use a larger extinguisher. The rating refers only to the size of the fire – not the size of the extinguisher.
Buying a Water Fire Extinguisher
It is important to get help from a professional like us if you think you need water fire extinguishers for your home or business. If you are looking for advice on the right type of fire extinguisher, contact OHEAP through our form or contact phone number. We guarantee you will reach someone who knows about fires and fire safety.
Which Business Typically Uses A Water Fire Extinguisher?
Water fire extinguishers are extremely popular and will be found nearly everywhere in public. Typically, these fire extinguishers are used in buildings with large amounts of organic materials including wood, paper and cloth. Generally, we would supply a water fire extinguisher to hospitals, schools, offices, warehouses, hotels and even storage units. Outside of commercial premises, we will also supply these red-labelled fire extinguishers to residential homes and domestic premises.
Effective, Yet Inexpensive
Water is an effective and inexpensive method for handling small fires in your home or business. The problem with water-based fire extinguishers is that they are not suitable for use on electrical fires. Water can conduct electricity. If you use water on an electrical fire, it will make the problem worse by causing the fire to spread and by putting yourself at risk of being electrocuted when using water-based extinguishers.
It is important to get help from a professional like us if you think you need water fire extinguishers for your home or business. If you are looking for advice on the right type of fire extinguisher, contact OHEAP through our form or contact phone number. We guarantee you will reach someone who knows about fires and fire safety.
Conclusion
The best type of fire extinguisher for your home or business is one that meets your needs and can be used safely. Water-based extinguishers are not recommended for electrical fires because they can make the problem worse. It is important to get help from a professional like us if you are unsure about which device you need. We are an experienced company that can help you make the right decision. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact us today.
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