30-10-2019, 11:10 PM
1
Fire extinguishers
It has finally dawned on me that we should have a fire extinguisher in our house. (No, we haven't had a fire!) The question is, which type? So I did a bit of research.WATER (Red)? That would be ideal for combustible materials (wood, paper, fabrics), but nothing else.
FOAM (Cream)? Good for combustible materials and flammable liquids (paint, petrol, etc), but that's it.
CARBON DIOXIDE (Black)? That would have been my first choice as there would be no mess to clean up after use! However, it is only recommended for flammable liquids and electrical equipment. Not much good for solids, like wood for example, because it doesn't cool the source as some others do and a fire could quite easily reignite.
DRY POWDER (Blue)? Works for most things: solids, liquids, gases, even electrical equipment, but not deep fat fryers. That was going to be my final choice. If a fat fire broke out in the kitchen, for example, we'd just have to throw a wet blanket over it. The other drawback is that there'd be a bit of a mess to clean up afterwards.
Those were my choices then, the other option would have been to buy two complementary types. But then I came across a recent development, which sounds ideal.
WATER MIST
I don't know who first thought of this, but it copes with all of the above, including electrical equipment despite being water. Its secret is very fine microscopic particles of water which, unlike normal jets of water, will not conduct electricity up to 1000V. Importantly, it won't splash liquids and spread the fire, especially deep fat fryers. Also, unlike water jets, it doesn't saturate everything but, having cooled the source, the mist just disperses.
A brilliant invention... so I bought one.
There are some videos on this site:
https://www.safelincs.co.uk/1-litre-...her-ultrafire/
which demonstrate its effectiveness.
I hope this is of some interest to others and may prompt some of you to consider getting one of these yourselves.
30-10-2019, 11:31 PM
6
Re: Fire extinguishers
your best bet is to pop along to your local fire station and ask them.of course they may suggest a sprinkler system with a huge water tank on your roof
We had several of both types at the kennels (foam and water) and they had to be tested each year to meet fire regs. Oh and they had to be wall mounted not free standing on the floor
one of the one hundred and one regs we had to obey or so it seemed.
31-10-2019, 12:17 AM
8
Re: Fire extinguishers
Originally Posted by AnnieS
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Are you planning some indoor fireworks JBR?!
31-10-2019, 12:44 AM
9
Re: Fire extinguishers
Originally Posted by Silver Tabby
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Haven't seen any of those in years, Annie!
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