| Deep fat fryers and any fire associated with | | | | point as deep fat fryer fires can burn as hot as |
| them have always been a real pain to deal with in | | | | 340 degrees and often hold as much as 75 litres |
| the past, but in recent years a new type of | | | | of cooking oil. A normal extinguisher would be |
| extinguisher has entered the market which is | | | | totally incapable of cooling the oil down and in |
| specifically designed for them. The wet chemical | | | | most circumstances would cause the oil to splash |
| fire extinguisher is designed to be used on Class F | | | | and spread the fire quickly which would be of the |
| fires involving cooking fats and oils and spawned a | | | | utmost danger. If you fired water on a deep fat |
| new British Standard which is BS 7937:2000. | | | | fryer fire it would literally explode in flames. Think |
| Now the wet chemical extinguisher is only to be | | | | of a flame thrower in your mind! |
| used on cooking fats such as animal and | | | | In the past it was common to see powder or |
| vegetable oils, in no circumstances should they | | | | foam extinguishers installed in kitchens but these |
| ever be used to tackle a Class B fire involving | | | | are totally inadequate for use on cooking oils. In |
| flammable liquids such as petrol or diesel. The | | | | fact they can be dangerous. When you operate a |
| normal fire rating on a wet chemical model is 13A | | | | wet chemical extinguisher the lance fires a fine |
| and they should only ever be situated within a | | | | spray over the fire which seals in the oil and helps |
| kitchen environment. | | | | to cool the fire down. This will prevent any |
| An added bonus though is the fact that wet | | | | splashing of the oil as the extinguishing agent |
| chemical units are safe to use on a Class A fire | | | | comes out at a steady pace rather than under |
| tackling combustibles such as wood, fabric or | | | | super high pressure. |
| paper. They work very well on this type of fire. | | | | The chemicals inside the extinguisher are |
| The lance nozzle is non-conductive too so the | | | | potassium acetate and also normally have |
| extinguisher is safe to use near an electrical fire | | | | potassium citrate or potassium bicarbonate added. |
| but should be used directly on any piece of | | | | The mix of these potassium salts have a |
| electrical equipment. All models should have | | | | combined saponification effect on the cooking oil's |
| passed the BSi 35,000V conductivity test to | | | | surface which create a thick foam layer which |
| ensure they are safe. | | | | then smothers and starves the fire of oxygen, |
| It's simple to identify a wet chemical unit as they | | | | thus extinguishing it. This also prevents the fire |
| are solid red with a yellow panel. The lance also | | | | from re-igniting which is an added safety effect. |
| helps to make them quickly recognisable in an | | | | The fat should then be left alone as the chemical |
| emergency. | | | | layer will help to cool it down. Obviously, it goes |
| The modern kitchen will virtually always have | | | | without saying that after any fire the fire brigade |
| plenty of electrical goods such as ovens, | | | | should always be called to ensure the situation is |
| microwaves as well as things such as mixers so a | | | | safe. You should always ensure that the entire |
| good choice to sit alongside the wet chemical is a | | | | contents of the wet chemical extinguisher are |
| CO2 fire extinguisher. This will ensure that any fire | | | | used so as to fully smother the cooking oil. |
| that directly involves electricity can be safely dealt | | | | When using the extinguisher the long lance enables |
| with and tackled quickly. In all kitchens you should | | | | the user to stand away from the fire and so help |
| also see fire blankets installed and for a | | | | prevent any burning that may be caused from |
| commercial premise something in the size range | | | | the heat or any splashing of the oil. As this is a |
| of 1.8 meters by 1.2 meters should be standard. | | | | specialist model staff should be offered training in |
| The fire blanket should not be used on a fat fryer | | | | its correct usage. |
| though and is in place rather to be used to | | | | So there you have the information on how a wet |
| smother fires in pots and pans. Once used it | | | | chemical extinguisher works. If you are employed |
| should be disposed of as it's a one shot deal. | | | | in a kitchen and they don't have one then maybe |
| So how exactly does the science of a wet | | | | you should suggest they get one asap. |
| chemical extinguisher work? It's an interesting | | | | |
