Fire classes
A fire extinguisher is suitable for one or more fire classes. A regular fire extinguisher usually consists of a pressure cylinder, extinguishing agent and propellant. If there were no propellant in the pressure cylinderl, the extinguishing agent would not be able to come out of the extinguisher. Some extinguishers therefore have a pressure indicator (manometer) on top of the extinguisher. This shows whether the pressure of the propellant is still sufficient to activate the extinguisher.
The SPITA FireFighter extinguishes by creating a pure potassium mist that is released after activation and is suitable for all fire classes.
Types of extinguishing agentsAn extinguishing agent can be liquid, but also in powder or gaseous form. Commonly used extinguishing agents are:
Water (the oldest extinguishin agent of mankind)
This is the cheapest agent having a great cooling effect with (when using a hose reel) an unlimited supply.
The disadvantage is that it is sensitive to frost and water can be dangerous when used on burning petrol or oil. Electrical equipment can also pose a hazard if water is used as an extinguishing agent.
Powder (commonly known as powder extinguishers)The powder of an ABC extinguisher consists of a mixture of ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulphate. The powder of a BC extinguisher consists of a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate, the powder of a D extinguisher consists of sodium chloride. A powder extinguisher has a high extinguishing capacity, is suitable for many types of fires, is not electrically conductive and is not sensitive to frost.
The extinguishing power is approximately six times that of CO², for example.
An important disadvantage of a powder extinguisher is the extensive collateral damage to electronic equipment and the risk of fire re-ignition if not extinguished properly. If the fire has been extinguished with a powder extinguisher, the remaining powder must be removed with an industrial vacuum cleaner, but do not use water. The powder can also cause serious health risks.
Foam (commonly known as foam extinguishers)
Foam extinguishers are filled with water and a foam-forming agent. The extinguishing power of foam is based on covering (removing oxygen) and to a small extent on cooling. The most commonly used foam extinguishers are the so-called spray foam extinguishers that interrupt every drop of outflowing liquid with air by means of an adjustment in the nozzle. This creates a mist that is not electrically conductive. In addition, mixing air results in a longer extinguishing time.
CO² (carbon dioxide)
These extinguishers are easy to recognize as they have a black expansion tube or snow tube at the end of the hose. There is a handle between the expansion tube and the hose, which you must hold while using the extinguisher. The handle is necessary because the end of the unprotected sleeve becomes very cold (up to approximately -80 °C) and this extreme cold can cause third-degree burns. It is therefore important that gloves are worn when using such an extinguisher. These extinguishers are very suitable for electrical fires and do not cause collateral damage.
Halon
Since January 1, 2004, the use and possession of halon fire extinguishers and fire protection systems has been prohibited in the European Community, albeit with some exceptions for critical applications (especially in civil aviation and the military). The ban on halon is related to the environmental damage that halon causes to the Earth's ozone layer.
However, until the ban, it was the most versatile extinguishing agent and the only one suitable for all fire classes.
Due to all its features, the SPITA FireFighter can therefore be seen as the successor to the Halon extinguishers and is increasingly popular at the military forces as an alternative extinguisher (especially since its approval by NATO).