FIRE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS

- FIRE EXTINGUISHERS -

Brno, 2011

Introduction
The German physician M. Fuchs in 1734 invented the glass balls filled with a saline solution intended to be thrown into the fire. The modern automatic fire extinguisher was invented by an English military, Captain George William Manby, after having witnessed a fire in 1813 in Edinburgh, which started on the fifth floor of a building in which the hoses could not reach because of the height of the building. Nothing can do to prevent the fire from spreading and to take the block.

Seeing such a fact Captain George stated that it believes the application of water at a critical moment, even in small quantities, has an effect. But using a much higher amount at a later time would backfire because the speed at which the flames spread destruction is certain.

In 1816 he invented a device cylindrical copper, with two feet in height and capacity of fifteen gallons. It was packed with about three-quarters of a liquid fluid Manby described as anti-burning as a solution of caustic potash. The remaining space was filled with compressed air.

Development
Basic information about the firing of fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are the containers made with the device that allow the application of extinguishing agent on the fires. Usually extinguishers named after the extinguishing agent that contains them. Fire extinguishers are intended for immediate tackling of small fires, therefore, place smaller amounts of extinguishing agents to keep the condition for easy transport. They are useful because they can fight most fires, whose principles are small foci, provided that, handled properly and on time.

The successful use of extinguishers depends on the following factors:

a) a proper distribution of equipment for the area to be protected; b) maintenance of adequate and efficient; c) trained personnel to handle equipment in extinguishing the fire.

As for size, fire extinguishers can be:

a) portable; b) on wheels.

Maintenance

Fire extinguishers need to be regularly renewed his charge, at intervals established by the manufacturer. In general, these vary from one to three years.

At higher doses of the extinguisher cylinder to undergo a hydrostatic test to determine if it has leaks or other structural damage which would undermine its operation. There are new fire extinguishers that both the cylinder and its cargo is worth five years, and after the use has no more use of the cylinder as the old ones.

Extinguishing agents

Fire extinguishers are charged with extinguishing agents that help fight a fire. Different agents fight fires using their different properties and may be more or less effective depending on the material that is burning.

Pressurized water, which extinguishes the fire by cooling. Used in solid materials such as wood, paper, textiles and rubber.

Baking soda, also called chemical powder.

Carbon dioxide, also called Carbon Dioxide, extinguishing the fire by removing oxygen. Used in liquids and gases (such as gasoline, ethanol and LPG) and conductive materials that are potentially conducting electrical current.

Halon, used in electrical equipment for extinguishing fires with no waste. It was banned by the Montreal Protocol because it is harmful to the ozone layer.

NAF, suitable for extinction in occupied areas or as having electronic equipment. It is considered a Clean Agent, as there is residual, has low toxicity and does not harm the ozone layer. It also does not conduct electricity and is effectively replacing the use of Halon.

How to use fire extinguishers

PRESSURIZED WATER - Remove the safety pin. - Wield the hose and pull the trigger, directing the jet to the base of the fire. - Only use on wood, paper, fibers, plastics and the like. - Do not use electrical equipment.

PRESSURIZVEL WATER (WATER / GAS) - Open the valve of the gas cylinder. - Attacking the fire, directing the spray toward the base of the flames. - Only use on wood, paper, fibers, plastics and the like. - Do not use electrical equipment.

FOAM - Invert the apparatus jet off automatically, and only cease when the charge is depleted. - Do not use on electrical equipment.

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) - Remove the safety pin breaking the seal. - Actuate the valve directing the spray toward the base of the fire. - Can be used on any type of fire.

DRY CHEMICAL POWDER (PQS) - Remove the safety pin. - Wield the gun diffuser. - Attacking the fire triggering the trigger. - Can be used on any type of fire. * Use the powder on electronic materials, only a last resort.

DRY CHEMICAL POWDER WITH GAS CYLINDER - Open the vial of gas. - Tighten the trigger and directing the dust cloud at the base of fire. - Can be used on any type of fire. * Use the powder on electronic materials, only a last resort.

WHERE TO USE THE EXTINGUISHING

Extinguishing agent is any material applied to the fire, interfere with their chemistry, causing a discontinuity in one or more sides of the fire tetrahedron, changing the conditions so that there is fire. The extinguishing agent can be found in the states of solid, liquid or gaseous fuels. There is a very large variety of extinguishing agents. We will mention only the most common are those that we may have to use in case of fire. Examples: water, foam (chemical and mechanical), carbon dioxide, dry chemical, halogenated agents (Halon), improvised agents such as sand, blanket, bottle cap, etc. which normally extinguished the fire by smothering, or withdraw all oxygen to be consumed by fire.

Classes of fires

The extinguishing agent most suitable for each kind of fire depends on the material that is burning. In some cases, some extinguishing agents should not be used because they endanger the life of the equipment operator. Bring fire extinguishers in your body for the classes of fire which is more efficient, or classes for which they should not be used:

Class A: Fire burning in solid materials which leave a residue occurring in surface and depth, such as wood, paper, textiles, rubber. To this class is recommended to use extinguishers containing water or foam.

Class B: Fire in liquids and gases whose burning leaves no residue and occurs only on the surface, such as gasoline, alcohol, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). To this class is recommended to use extinguishers containing foam, carbon dioxide and dry chemical.

Class C: Fire involving conductive materials that are potentially conducting electrical current. In this case the extinguishing agent can not be a driver not to electrocute the operator. For this class should only be used extinguishers containing carbon dioxide and dry chemical.

Class D: Fire involving pyrophoric metal such as potassium, aluminum, zinc or titanium. Require special extinguishing agents to extinguish the fire by smothering, such as sodium chloride.

In Europe and Oceania is used a slightly different classification system:

Class A: Fires involving combustible solids like wood, textiles, rubber, paper and some types of plastic.

Class B: Fire involving combustible liquids or solids can become liquids such as petroleum products, oils, paints, waxes and resins and some plastics, not involving cooking oils or fats.

Class C: Fire involving flammable gases such as natural gas, hydrogen, propane, butane.

Class D: These are fires involving some metals and some form of presentation that require special agents for their extinction. Among the fuels there are pyrophoric metals such as sodium, potassium, lithium, cesium, and some leagues do not self-igniting such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, etc..

Class E: St. fires involving radioactive materials and chemicals whose risks are in addition to the actual demands of the fire brigade a greater knowledge and a greater protective factor.

Class K: Fires involving liquid and solid materials such as oils and fats, edible substances with the environment as an example of industrial kitchens. This standard became effective in 1999 by the NFPA and is still not widely known.

Installation

The maximum distance to be traveled by a person until the fire extinguisher varies with the risk of fire to which the building is exposed. In places of high risk can not exceed 15 meters, and in places of low risk can reach 25 meters. This leads to position engineers as fire extinguishers and how many are needed.

In places isolated risk factors should be installed fire extinguishers, independent of the general protection of the building or risk, such as boiler house, pump house, electric power house, machine house; Gallery transmission; Incinerator; Elevator (home machines); bridge crane; Treadmill (engine room) Table reduction for low voltage, transformers, telephone Containers; Central Gas, Generator, Other in need of protection.

The extinguisher should be posted on the wall or floor, provided it is supported in a holder. The place where the fire extinguisher is installed must be properly flagged with a plaque. If the floor is rough, there must be also marked on the floor.