Author: atasee

No single extinguisher can tackle every fire. Every type of fire extinguisher is suitable for different types of fire, choosing can be a minefield.

First, we look at different types of fire extinguishers present in the place to be protected from fire. There are five types of fire extinguishers with different substances:

What Are Foam Fire Extinguishers?

Foam fire extinguisher uses a mixture of water, air, and foam to put out from the fires. It works by protecting the fires with a thick covering of foam that extinguishes the fire and denies it oxygen. This stops the fire from re-starting. It can be used on different types of combustible materials, like wood, paper, cloth, flammable oils, diesel fuel, and alcohol. Foam fire extinguishers are best for many types of fire risk use.

What Are the Different Types of Foam Fire Extinguishers?

Foam fire extinguishers, generally Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) extinguishers, are highly effective for certain types of fires. They work by forming a film that stops the fire, making them the best choice for specific scenarios. Let’s discuss the different types of foam fire extinguishers:

Synthetic Foam Extinguishers

Synthetic foams are made using synthetic surfactants to enhance their flow. It allows the foam to spread quickly over hydrocarbon-based liquids, performing a quicker knock-down result. However, these extinguishers can pollute groundwater and offer limited protection after the fire has been extinguished. In this there are two main types under this category are:

• Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF): Best for hydrocarbon fires.
• Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AR-AFFF): Designed to combat fires using alcohol-based liquids.

Protein Foam Extinguishers

Unlike synthetic foams, protein foams spread more slowly but are more durable and heat-resistant. It is made from natural proteins, making them environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Here are some examples of protein foam extinguishers:

• Alcohol-Resistant Film-Forming Fluoroprotein (AR-FFFP): Effective for alcohol-based fires.
• Fluoroprotein Foam (FP): Provides better heat resistance for hydrocarbon fires.
• Alcohol-Resistant Fluoroprotein Foam (AR-FP): Protects against alcohol and hydrocarbon fires.
• Regular Protein Foam (P): A basic choice for general hydrocarbon fires.
• Film-Forming Fluoroprotein (FFFP): It connects fast-spreading capabilities with protein-based belongings.

Suitability and Usage

Foam fire extinguishers are not used everywhere but are useful for fires caused by flammable liquids and solids. They are utilized in offices, homes, and industrial settings. These extinguishers are universal but should be selected according to the specific risks present in the environment.

With these different types of foam fire extinguishers and their applications, you can make an informed decision about whether to use them in your home or workplace.

How Do Foam Fire Extinguishers Work?

Foam fire extinguishers are more effective than water extinguishers for controlling limited flames. They use Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to cool the fire while cutting off its oxygen supply.

The foam contains a mix of Film-Forming Fluoroprotein, alcohol-resistant foams, film-forming foams, water, and air. It works well on flammable solids and burning liquids.

When sprayed, the foam spreads over the flames to cool them and block oxygen. For liquid fires, the foam floats on the surface, cooling the liquid and extinguishing the fire effectively.

Where Can Foam Fire Extinguishers Be Used?

Foam fire extinguishers are ideal for buildings with textiles, wood, or other flammable solids that cause Class A fires. They are also suitable for locations using or storing flammable liquids like petrol, kerosene, diesel, alcohol, and oils, which can cause Class B fires.

These extinguishers effectively control burning liquids and flammable solids that haven’t yet grown out of control. However, they are not prepared to tackle runaway fires.

Foam extinguishers are generally found in factories, offices, warehouses, garages, and hostels, often paired with CO2 extinguishers. Businesses are legally required to have at least two Class A extinguishers on each floor.

Available in sizes like 2-liter, 3-liter, 6-liter, and 9-liter, the choice of extinguisher size depends on the fire risk level at the site, with the 6-liter being the most common.

Why Should You Choose Foam Fire Extinguishers?

• Foam fire extinguishers are affordable and easy to maintain.
• These are highly portable.
• Foam extinguishers can be recharged.
• These are effective on Class A and B fires.
• These are made with all-metal valves, steel cylinders, and a nozzle.
• These are available in held pressure and cartridge ideals.

How Do You Select the Right Foam Fire Extinguisher?

When selecting the right foam fire extinguisher, take into account the kind of fire you are most likely to experience (usually Class B flammable liquids), the size of the likely fire, the foam’s expansion ratio, and whether you require a particular foam formulation for the application, such as protein foam or AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam). You should also make sure the extinguisher is manageable in regard to weight and size so you can use it smoothly. 

 Modern foam extinguishers have improved significantly, replacing thick, smelly foams with sleek designs featuring a blue band above the label. Foam extinguishers are ideal for fighting fires from solid combustibles like wood and flammable liquids such as petrol. The foam penetrates quickly into burning materials or liquids, making it highly effective for controlling fires.  It is always used in offices, factories, warehouses, garages, and hotels. 

Advantages of Foam Fire Extinguishers

Foam fire extinguishers are usually used to manage fires in residential and business properties. They have many advantages, including:

• Secure for use: Aqueous Film-Forming Foam is non-toxic with safe for human use.
• Won’t cause electrical fires more harmful: If foam extinguishers are used to spray directly onto ignited electrical appliances, they are unlikely to contribute to the flames, because they are not highly effective or recommended for use on electrical fires.
• Reduced risk of damage: Although it cannot be certain, foam from a foam fire extinguisher is uncommon to harm surfaces.
• Lower probability of re-ignition: Because foam extinguishers smother flames, there is very little possibility that a fire will ignite.
• Simpler to use: A foam extinguisher is likely less heavy than its water equivalent.

Disadvantages of Foam Fire Extinguishers

Although the advantages of a foam fire extinguisher are great, there are also certain disadvantages attached to a foam extinguisher. These are:

• It is not for best Class C fires: Foam fire extinguishers act on Class A or Class B fires. Utilizing a foam extinguisher on Class C to E fires could improve the volatility of any existing fires.
• Not best for utilizing electrical devices: If you utilize foam fire extinguishers on electrical devices participating in electrical fires, the result could be negative the fire will not be stopped and the electrical devices could be damaged.
• Can’t be held in cold areas: If a foam fire extinguisher is kept in a very cold environment, it may freeze.
• More expensive: A foam extinguisher is more expensive than a water fire extinguisher.

How Should Foam Fire Extinguishers Be Maintained?

Proper maintenance of a foam fire extinguisher is very important for its effectiveness. According to these simple steps help you to ensure it remains in good working condition:

• Visual Inspection: Regularly check for damage, corrosion, dents, and leaks, and ensure the label and safety seals are intact.
• Pressure Gauge Check: Confirm that the pressure gauge reading is within the acceptable range.
• Hose Inspection: Remove the discharge hose to check for blockages, cracks, or other damage.
• Weight Check: Weigh the extinguisher to ensure it is fully charged.
• Storage Conditions: Store it in a cool, dry place with good ventilation, away from sunlight and extreme temperatures.
• Professional Servicing: Have it serviced by a qualified technician as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This includes emptying, pressure testing, and refilling the unit.

Regular maintenance helps to ensure the extinguisher is ready for use when needed.

How Do Foam Fire Extinguishers Compare to Other Types?

Foam fire extinguishers are more versatile than water extinguishers, as they can handle both Class A (wood, textiles) and Class B (flammable liquids) fires, while water extinguishers are limited to Class A fires. Foam works by forming a blanket over the fire, cooling it, and cutting off oxygen, making it especially effective for liquid fires. They are also less damaging than dry powder extinguishers, which leave a significant residue.

Key Comparisons:

• Effectiveness on Liquid Fires: Foam is superior to water, floating on liquid surfaces to smother vapors and prevent reignition.
• Less Damaging than Powder: Foam causes minimal residue, unlike messy dry powder extinguishers.
• Electrical Fires: Some foams are safe near electrical equipment but not recommended for direct use on live fires.
• Composition: Contains a water-based foam mixture with AFFF, helping spread foam and block flames.

Comparison to Other Types:

• Water: Only for Class A fires, unsuitable for flammable liquids.
• Dry Powder: Works on various fire classes, including electrical, but is messy.
• CO2: It is best for electrical and small liquid fires but can replace oxygen in surrounding areas.
• Wet Chemical: It is designed specifically for Class F (cooking oil) fires.

Conclusion

Foam fire extinguishers are widely used to stop fires caused by flammable liquids and solids. It is known as Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) or Spray Foam Fire Extinguishers, they are versatile and effective indoors and outdoors.

These extinguishers are commonly used in warehouses, petrol stations, textile factories, and workshops where flammable materials are present. Modern foam extinguishers have improved significantly, replacing thick, smelly foams with sleek designs featuring a blue band above the label.

Foam extinguishers are ideal for fighting fires from solid combustibles like wood and flammable liquids such as petrol. The foam penetrates quickly into burning materials or liquids, making it highly effective for controlling fires.

Fire safety is very important for every workplace with premises, no issue what is the size of the company or building.

Additionally, having accurate fire safety steps helps you keep your staff from harm in addition to keeping to legal guidelines.

We have a useful 10-step fire safety checklist that any business can swiftly and safely implement, based on industry best practices and fire safety regulations:

1. Regularly assess the risks of fire. 

Your fire safety plan starts with a complete fire risk assessment. It helps in identifying possible risks as well as techniques to reduce the chance that a fire would start or spread. A qualified individual has to conduct fire risk assessments once a year according to Health and Safety Executive rules. Every three years, if the assessment is done internally, an outside firm should be engaged to review it. Evacuation routes, people in danger, and fire threats should all be included in the evaluation. Staff members should also be informed of the results and/or evaluations so they are aware of what to do in the case of a fire or how they may contribute to reducing the chance of fires starting.

2. Install and Maintaining Fire alarm systems 

To save lives, fire must be noticed early. It is important to have and keep a working fire alarm system. Make sure your fire alarm system is tested once a week and that the tests have been recorded to make sure it is always working. The fire alarm system should also have routine maintenance and servicing planned to allow for the detection of problems early and avoid system failure.

3. Emergency lights 

Safe evacuation is the most important thing in the case of an accident, and emergency lighting is essential for guiding people to the fire exits. Check to make sure all emergency lights are working and located correctly to light exit methods. Also, we advise testing the emergency lighting drain once a year. A full drain examination will indicate if the lights will stay as long as required during an evacuation​.

4. Electrical equipment 

The most common reason of workplace fires is faulty electrical equipment. PAT testing and other routine electrical equipment checks assist in reducing this risk. Also to lessen the risk of fire triggered by overloaded circuits and/or plug sockets, avoid clear of the use of trailing leads and adapters whenever possible.

5. Fire extinguishers 

Fire extinguishers are essential for putting out small fires before they get out of control. There are different types of extinguishers, each of which is suitable for a certain kind of fire, like chemical, foam, powder, carbon dioxide, and water. Make sure your company has the extinguishers it needs and that they are set up properly. Also, each one will need signage identifying the brand and type of extinguisher fire it is to be used.

6. Hazardous substances 

It is important to manage hazardous materials properly because they might pose a serious risk of fire. Make sure the proper fire safety precautions are taken if hazardous materials are being used or stored. 

7. Fire exits and escape routes 

Check that evacuation routes are open and that there are no barriers or covers blocking fire exits. In the case of a fire, determine how you would safely evacuate disabled staff members and guests from the place of work. Make an evacuation plan.

8. Training and fire drills

Every employee needs to understand fire safety protocols and what to do in case of an emergency. Hold fire drills regularly to ensure that everyone is aware of the evacuation procedure and expectations. All employees should receive regular fire safety training so they are familiar with fire risks and know what to do in an emergency.

9. Housekeeping: 

By keeping the building free of flammable objects, good housekeeping practices reduce the risk of a fire. For example, remove any extra boxes or paper, and clean fans, dust filters, and kitchen equipment regularly to avoid collection. Check any products or resources that you require to keep as well. Are flammable materials kept away from the heat and possible ignition points?

10. Review and Update 

Plans for fire safety change over time. When the building, its workers, new risks related to fire, rules, and regulations, or any events that occur, they should be examined and updated regularly. If the building’s structure, occupancy, or use has changed, review the fire risk assessment annually and make the required changes. 

FAQs

Bottom Line:

Fire safety is crucial for every workplace, regardless of its size or type. Implementing these ten essential steps can make a significant difference in preventing fires and ensuring the safety of employees, visitors, and the premises itself. From conducting regular fire risk assessments to maintaining fire alarms, extinguishers, and electrical equipment, every step adds to a comprehensive safety plan. Proper training, drills, and emergency planning help everyone stay prepared, while good housekeeping and regular reviews ensure that fire risks are minimized over time.

By following these guidelines, your workplace can remain compliant with safety regulations and foster a secure environment for everyone. Fire safety is not just a legal responsibility; it’s a moral obligation to protect lives and property.