| Well the dry powder fire extinguisher is pretty | | | | A side effect of powder is that the powder is |
| much the most effective all round model available | | | | corrosive to soft metals and also attracts |
| on the market today. It is the type of | | | | moisture, so if used on electrical products they will |
| extinguisher most often recommended for use in | | | | pretty much be destroyed and useless. This is |
| the home or on a vehicle due to its impressive | | | | because ABC dry powder ammonium phosphate |
| coverage of multiple fire classes. They generally | | | | can have a chemical reaction with water and |
| come as ABC or BC variants and are rated for | | | | form into phosphoric acid which is a corrosive |
| use on those types of fires. As an added bonus | | | | element. They should only be used on sensitive |
| they are safe to use on electrical fires too which | | | | electrical equipment if there is absolutely no other |
| is an impressive extension to their usage. | | | | option to tackle the blaze. This is also why you |
| It's simple to recognise a dry powder extinguisher | | | | cannot use a powder extinguisher on an aircraft. |
| as they are colour coded for easy identification, | | | | Now for the techie part and an explanation of |
| they are red with a blue panel. | | | | how the powder extinguisher actually works. Well |
| Certain locations are not suitable for powder | | | | obviously the powder is an extinguishing agent |
| extinguishers as when set off they produce a | | | | which is forced out of the extinguisher under |
| cloud which may obscure people's vision and | | | | pressure by a non flammable gas. The powder |
| make it difficult to find the fire exit. The powder | | | | then smothers the fire and prevents re-ignition by |
| can also cause some breathing problems when | | | | removing one of the fire causing elements such |
| inhaled. For this reason they are not used in | | | | as oxygen. The sodium bicarbonate element of |
| offices, hotels or other areas which are enclosed | | | | powder is a very clever addition which fully |
| and filled with the public such as a school or large | | | | decomposes at 158 degrees F thus releasing CO2 |
| shop. | | | | which helps starve the fire of oxygen. |
| This type of extinguisher comes in three main | | | | Worth a mention also is Monnex dry powder |
| varieties with the most common being ABC and | | | | which was developed by ICI and is one of the |
| BC. | | | | most effective fire fighting agents available today. |
| The models rated as ABC are multi-purpose fire | | | | Another downside of powder is the fact it is |
| fighting equipment and the powder contains | | | | extremely messy, but that's a small price to pay |
| ammonium phosphate as its main agent. The BC | | | | to save your life. The powder should be cleared |
| extinguisher has potassium bicarbonate in it which | | | | up fully after any fire and disposed of correctly. |
| is better known as baking powder or soda in the | | | | This type of powder extinguisher is used a lot |
| real world. The powder is forced out under | | | | within motor racing as its so effective at tackling |
| pressure by nitrogen gas normally. There is a | | | | a petrol fire and is commonly seen at airports |
| specialist third type of powder that is rated for | | | | also. |
| class A and D (metals fires). These contain | | | | So there you have the full details on a powder |
| graphite powder and their use requires specialist | | | | fire extinguisher. |
| training also. | | | | |
