How to use portable fire extinguishers

Fire is one of the most important discoveries of humans. But it can be boon or evil both. Fire at home or workplace causes thousands of deaths and damage to property every year. Portable fire extinguishers can be very helpful in limiting damage to property and lives until additional help arrives. Thus, it is essential to make portable fire extinguishers as a key component of the fire prevention plan.

Operational principle– To sustain, fire requires sufficient oxygen, sufficient heat (to raise the material to ignition temperature), fuel/ combustible material(to burn), chemical reaction that is fire it shelf to sustain. Extinguishers must counter and change these conditions to prevent fire. Portable fire extinguishers releases an extinguishing agent that will decrease the temperature of burning combustible material , displace or remove oxygen or stop the reaction to stop fire. When the handle of an extinguisher is compressed, agent is expelled out  of nozzle. These portable fire extinguishers must comply with government‘s set standards and regulations over extinguishers component and procedure of use.

Method of use– People must be trained properly the principle and practice to use extinguishers and also hazards while fire fighting. The following steps should be followed while firefighting are:-

Sound the fire alarm and inform fire department about the accident. Make an evacuation path and prevent fire from spreading to this path. According to the type of fire, use fire extinguishers like chemical, CO2 etc.

Use fire extinguishers within its effective range of spreading extinguishing agent over fire using PASS technique.

1. PULL the pin – this will break the tamper seal and release agents from tank .
2. AIM- the nozzle should be pointed towards fire.
3. SQUEEZE- squeezes the handle to release agent from nozzle.
4. SWEEP- sweep from side to side till fire is completely out.

Placement and spacing– portable fire extinguishers must be installed in every prospective region that can catch  fire. It should be mounted on the wall and should be within easy reach of people fighting the fire. It should always be in proper condition as it is used in emergency services. Regular maintenance and inspection should be done to ensure an appropriate condition of portable fire extinguishers. Pins and tamper seal should be checked to find whether it is intact or not. The pressure gauge should be reviewed to find whether it is fully charged or not. Extinguishers’ critical component (cylinder, seal, hose assembly etc.)should be checked regularly through the hydro-static method for leaks and structural flaws.

Amaan is one of the leading companies providing these top quality portable fire extinguishers. This equipment can be ordered by going on company‘s website http://www.amaanbh.com/

NEW TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE FIRE DAMAGE: PYROGEN

Depending on the type of fire (nature of the material ablaze), meteorological conditions (wind) and the effectiveness of the intervention, material damage can be limited (a single car, building or production or storage warehouse installation), or affect wide areas (forest or agricultural fires, hydrocarbons, gas or other highly flammable products, storage or piping installations, harbor installations and rail or marine transport equipment). Explosions are in a different category.

Each type of fire is the object of specific technical prescriptions as regards prevention, intervention and the behavior of the population affected. It is also relevant to note that many fires have a criminal origin and that in times of armed conflict or crisis as well as of indirect wars (sabotage) human intervention also provokes major accidents like forest fires, chemical fires, Big Industrial Fires etc. Fires represent a serious hazard for industrial buildings and sometimes the damage they caused are irreplaceable. It’s better to be safer than feeling sorry later when damage and losses cannot be recovered.

Pyrogen is one of the most new and advanced technology in effective fire control, it has the lowest extinguishing concentration.The secret to Pyrogen’s power is in two unique formulations contained in Pyrogen canister – the solid aerosol-generating element and the solid chemical element. The solid aerosol-generating element is a thermoplastic mixture consisting of an oxidizer, a combustible binder, and technological additives.

Pyrogen is eco-friendly and it does not affect earth’s ozone layer since it does not contain chlorine or bromine in its molecular structure. Contribution of Pyrogen to global warming is negligible since the only one component that could contribute to global warming – carbon dioxide – is present in minor quantities at normal extinguishing concentrations. Global Warming Potential (GWP) of Pyrogen relatively to carbon dioxide is zero and its design refer not to aerosol, but to the design factor, which is the mass of solid aerosol-generating element per unit of enclosure volume required to extinguish a specific type of fire, including a safety factor.

Amaan International (www.amaanbh.com) is one of the fire safety and security consultants that is committed to providing its customers with innovative and advanced fire safety solutions in the Gulf region. They provide the highest grade of services in fire prevention, fire suppression and in educating the masses about fire safety. It’s better to be safer than feeling sorry later when damage and losses cannot be recovered.

The ABC of Fire Extinguishers

Ever wondered about the characterization and use of fire safety equipment? You may have noticed certain letters written on them as you came across a portable fire extinguisher or a wall mount specimen in your work or residential building. Here is what those letters mean.

Universally, fire extinguishers are differentiated by the sort of fire that they will douse.

Class A fire extinguishers are utilized for customary combustibles, for example, wood, paper, a few plastics and materials. This fire class requires the warmth engrossing impacts of water or the covering impacts of certain dry chemicals. Extinguishers appropriate for Class A fires ought to be distinguished by a triangle containing the letter “An.” If in shading, the triangle ought to be green.

Class B fire extinguishers are utilized for combustible fluid and gas fires, for example, oil, gas, and so forth. These fire extinguishers deny the fire of oxygen and intrude on the fire chain by restraining the arrival of burnable vapors. Extinguishers reasonable for Class B fires ought to be recognized by a square containing the letter “B.” If in shading, the square ought to be red.

Class C fire extinguishers are utilized on fires that include live electrical gear that require the utilization of electrically non-conductive smothering operators. Once the electrical gear is de-invigorated, extinguishers for Class A or B fires might be utilized. Extinguishers appropriate for Class C fires ought to be recognized by a circle containing the letter “C.” If in shading, the circle ought to be blue.

Class D fire extinguishers are utilized on ignitable metals, for example, magnesium, titanium, sodium, and so forth., that require a smothering medium that does not respond with the consuming metal. Extinguishers appropriate for Class D fires ought to be recognized by a five-point painted star containing the letter “D.” If in shading, the star ought to be yellow.

Class K fire extinguishers are utilized on fires including cooking media (fats, oil and oils) in business kitchens. Because of the higher warming rates of vegetable oils in business cooking machines, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (NFPA 10) incorporates a Class K extinguisher. These fire extinguishers chip away at the rule of saponification, which happens when basic blends, for example, potassium acetic acid derivation, potassium citrate or potassium carbonate are connected to consuming cooking oil or fat. The basic blend joined with the unsaturated fat makes a lathery froth at first glance that holds in the vapors and steam and smothers the fire. These extinguishers are recognized by the letter K.

It is mandatory to have a portable fire extinguisher handy in all places of residence or business. It is necessary for one’s own safety and survival. At Amaan International, we help our clients to find the best quality fire extinguishers suitable to fight all kinds of domestic and commercial fire hazards. For more on fire safety and equipment, visit our website at http://www.amaanbh.com/

 

Using fire extinguisher at your workplace

As indicated by NHRA (National Health Regulatory Authority), a widely recognized emergency authority board in Bahrain, small businesses must plan for is a fire. Portable fire extinguishers can be priceless apparatuses to help battle small fires in the work environment or to secure exit courses in case of a bigger one.

It is expected of the owners of commercial and corporate establishments to be well prepared to tackle any unexpected prepare specialists on how to use a fire extinguisher appropriately, as well as how to precisely evaluate a circumstance and decide when clearing is the most secure game-plan. NHRA also expects workers to be trained in fire extinguisher use on a yearly basis, at any rate.

A straightforward fire extinguishing procedure to use with workers is the PASS technique:

• Pulling the extinguisher pin
• Aiming the nozzle toward the base of the fire.
• Squeezing the handle to let out the agent that extinguishes fire.
• Squeeze the nozzle from side to side to the base of the flame, till the fire is extinguished

Knowing how to use the fire extinguisher is not the end of training. Employees must also the trained to adhere to the below mentioned protocol.

In the event of fire, sound the fire alert or call the fire office promptly.

Before moving towards the fire, decide a clearing course safe of flares, over the top warmth and smoke. Don’t allow this path to be noticeably blocked/

Use the PASS procedure for releasing a fire extinguisher and move in an opposite direction from the zone if the fire erupts once more.

On the off chance that the douser is void and the fire is not out, empty promptly.

In the event that the fire develops past what can be securely taken care of, evacuate quickly.

Portable fire extinguishers are intended to deal with just little flames. In the event that an emergency turns out to be too substantial or nature turns out to be excessively perilous, workers should know when and how to clear the region. In the event that any of the following conditions are present, staff must take after departure routes quickly and must not douse fire with an extinguisher:

• The fire is too huge.
• The fire includes combustible solvents, is partially hidden behind a divider or roof, can’t be reached to from a standing position, or covers more than 60 square feet in territory.
• The air has become unsafe to breathe. Levels of smoke make the fire difficult to fight fire without some type of respiratory security.

Choose from the best in class fire extinguishers in Bahrain at Amaan International, where we deal in a variety of portable fire extinguishing units. For more on fire safety or quotes on portable fire extinguishers, visit our website at www.amaanbh.com

Types of fire protection systems

Fire accidents can happen anytime at any place, hence firefighting equipment should be put up in every home and business organization for safety purposes.

Firefighting prevents spreading of fire and extinguishes it as soon as possible. A firefighter terminates and extinguishes fire which not only protects lives but also save the property from destruction as well as the environment. Hence, regular servicing and maintenance of this equipment is necessary to keep them running efficiently.

Firefighters undergo a special training to use these equipment in the right way at right times. They are not only apt at putting off fires at property or buildings but also expertise in fire and rescue operations like airport rescue, wilderness fire suppression, and search and rescue.

Firefighting equipment includes fire detection and alarm systems; emergency and escape lighting systems; sprinkler systems; fire door automatic release mechanisms; portable fire extinguishers; gaseous, foam and powder extinguishing systems and smoke control systems.

Major hazards associated with these operations are the toxic environment which is created by combustible materials. Firefighters are in constant danger of inhaling these toxic gases released into the atmosphere. The toxic environment contains smoke which is oxygen deficient has elevated temperatures and a poisonous atmosphere. To overcome all these hazards firefighters carry self-contained breathing equipment to ensure their safety.

Fires are of much different intensity sometimes it can be really a small flame or sometimes it can burn down an entire building. Depending on the type of fire one needs to choose an appropriate equipment to put down the fire.

Types of fire protection systems

Fire extinguishers: They are used immediately in a specific area that is attacked by fire. There are different types used when there cooking catches fire and different ones used for rubber fires.

Fire blankets: This is used to shut down the fire instantly at small places by just a blanket. Air blanket is extremely helpful because fire greatly depends on oxygen.

Sprinkler systems: The use of water is a very primary method been used from ancient times to put off fire. Water instantly cools the fire and reduces its flames. Sprinkler system helps to put off fire in large buildings to cover large spaces in small period of time and more instantly. The water can be cleaned up once the fire has set off.

Amaan provides wide range of services in this field. For more details, do visit our website at http://www.amaanbh.com/

 

Home fire safety

Fire hazards in home begin as accidents. And like all accidents, they are completely unpredictable and may turn uncontrollable if proper steps aren’t put into place to control such accidents.

One of the easiest ways to prepare you and your family from household fire is to have a clear fire escape plan in place. This should include planning the best escape route, and deciding which objects in your home should be give n first preference when evacuating.

Invest in a few good quality smoke alarms and make sure that they are always in good working condition. If a fire does break out, move out of the house and then call for help. You never know how quickly the fire can spread inside a house.

Make sure to keep flammable/ similar items away from things that gets hot. And wherever you have installed stoves/ heaters, should be well ventilated.  This is a must for a kitchen, where chances of a gas leak are more.

Smoking indoors, especially in confined areas such as bedrooms and near windows with curtains significantly increases chances of fire. Make sure to blow out all candles before you go to bed, and do not leave any source of fire unattended.

At Amaan International ,we deal in a wide variety of domestic and commercial grade fire protection units in Bahrain. For more information about our services, do visit our website at http://www.amaanbh.com/

Advantages of the aerosol fire extinguishers

Aerosol fire extinguishers are much more efficient compared to traditional fire extinguishers. These equipment are capable of delivering aerosol solids and liquids in order to extinguish fires, including large fires. These aerosols do not harm the environment and do not ruin any property either. They are also quite economical and they do not require much maintenance either.

Modern aerosol extinguishers use a variety of fire extinguishing methods such as water, powder, gas, aerosol, etc. The basic principles of aerosol fire extinguishers enables it to evenly block out the combustion process, thus effectively arresting the fire.

Aerosols are also quite cost effective, making them one of the most accessible types of fire extinguishers in the world. They generally do not have mechanical working parts, thus manufacturing them is easier and low cost as well. The simple design also owes to ease of use, and the operators require little to no training in perfecting the use of aerosol fire extinguishers.

Aerosols, unlike water or powder fire extinguishers does not harm the property. Besides, water and powder extinguishers cannot be used in the presence of sensitive electronic equipment, as it can cause more harm than food. Aerosols are completely safe to use against almost any domestic fire incidents, and once the fire subsides, you can easily remove the foam from the surface with a damp cloth/ vacuum cleaner without worry.

At Amaan International we deal in a variety of high quality fire extinguishers suitable for commercial and domestic uses. For more information about our services, do visit our website at http://www.amaanbh.com/