When
you need to put out small fires or prevent them from starting in the first
place, carbon
dioxide fire extinguisher is an effective tool in your arsenal of
firefighting equipment. However, educating yourself about co2
fire extinguisher can help you make informed decisions
and make the most of it. Here are five facts about carbon dioxide
fire extinguishers that you should know if you use or work with these types of
fire extinguishers.
What Are CO2 Fire
Extinguishers?
CO2
fire extinguishers are an excellent fire-fighting tool because they’re
non-toxic and won’t release harmful chemicals into your home. These
extinguishers come in handy when you have a fire that needs to be put out right
away, such as grease fires, electrical fires, or class a combustibles like wood
and paper. CO2 extinguishers create a cooling effect when used on these types
of flames, which allows for fast quenching.
How Do They Work?
Though
CO2 extinguishers are most commonly used on electrical fires, their chemical
properties actually make them great for fighting blazes involving flammable
liquids and gases like methane. Carbon dioxide extinguishes flames by forcing
out oxygen from a fire.
Where Should I Store It?
A co2
extinguisher needs to be stored in a safe
place where it can’t roll around or get hit. A wall bracket is ideal. Keep it
out of direct sunlight and in an area where temperatures don’t fluctuate too
much—carbon dioxide can become unstable when frozen.
What Kind Of Fires Can I Put
Out With A CO2 Fire Extinguisher?
In
short, a CO2 fire extinguisher can put out class A, B and C fires. For example,
one of these devices is well-suited for putting out a grease fire (class A) or
an electrical fire (class B). However, if you’re fighting a liquid or
combustible metal fire (say from burning oil), you’ll want to go with a dry
chemical extinguisher.
Can I Refill My Tank At
Home?
In
most cases, it’s not recommended to refill a carbon dioxide extinguisher at
home. The process can be tricky, and if anything goes wrong with refilling or
pressurising a cylinder (like overfilling or charging it incorrectly), you can
compromise its ability to put out fires. It’s best to consult with a
professional who is familiar with handling carbon dioxide extinguishers before
attempting at-home refills.
For more queries on carbondioxide fire extinguishers, please get in touch with our team. We can help you choose the right fire extinguisher according to your needs.
