Extinguishers Flashcards
Alcohol Resistant Foam (AR Foam)
Foram containing a polymer that will form protective layering between the burning surface and the foam. The layering prevents foam breakdown due to alcohol present in the burning fuel. Alcohol-resistant foams are used for fighting fuel fires that contain alcohol additives, such as E85 gasoline blend.
Aqueous Film-Foaming Solution (AFFF)
A synthetic foam that as it breaks down forms an aqueous layer of film over a flammable liquid.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
An inert colorless and odorless gas that is stored under pressure as a liquid that is capable of being self-expelled and is effective in smothering Class B and C fires.
Class A
Classification of fire involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, plastics, and rubber.
Class B
Classification of fire involving flammable and combustible liquids, gases, and greases. Common products are gasoline, oils, alcohols, propane and cooking oils.
Class C
Classification of fire involving energized electrical equipment, which eliminates using water based agents.
Class D
Classification of fire involving combustible metals and alloys such as magnesium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.
Class K
Classification of fire as of 1998 that involves fires in combustible cooking fuels such as vegetable or animals oils and fats.
Dry Chemicals
Dry extinguishing agents divided into two categories. Regular dry chemicals work on Class B and C fires; multipurpose dry chemicals work on Class A, B, and C fires.
Dry Powders
Extinguishing agent for Class D fires.
Electronic Monitoring
A method of electronic communication (data transmission) between an in place fire extinguisher and electronic monitoring device/system.
Film-Forming Fluoroprotein Foam (FFFP)
Foam that incorporates the features of AFFF and fluoroprotein foams with good resistance and the film forming barrier.
Loaded Stream Extinguisher
Combats the water freezing problem by adding an alkali salt as an antifreezing agent.
Polar Solvent Type of Foam
Foam that is compatible with alcohol and/or polar solvents by creating a polymetric barrier between the water in the foam and the polar solvent.
Wet Chemicals
Extinguishing agents that are water-based solutions of potassium-carbonate based chemicals, potassium acetate-based chemicals, potassium citrate-based chemicals or a combination of these.
Portable extinguishers are used to fight which type of fires?
Small, unusual fires, that are not easily extinguished with water, or fires that cannot be reached quickly with hoselines.
When defining a “small fire” firefighters should think about what?
Size of extinguisher to be the determining factor in choosing the proper extinguisher. There are no hard and fast rules and it is up to the firefighter’s experience to make this decision.
Untrained civilians or firefighters with tunnel vision have a tendency to do what when using an extinguisher?
Spray agent on the smoke instead of the seat of the fire, wasting agent and time.
Why should you use a water-extinguisher to practice?
Easily refilled and cost effective.
When should firefighters plan for special hazards and take extinguisher placement into account at a structure?
Pre-incident plan, or fire inspection.
What will dictate the correct size, type and extinguisher location?
Fire Prevention Bureau
Extinguishers are no longer required in which type of building?
Educational and assembly facilities. It allows fire suppression systems activate much quicker without extinguisher involvement and are more effective.
Why is water preferred to be used on Class A fires?
Most cost effective.
Special Hazard
Flammable liquids that are spilling or overflowing their container and spilling vertically. Also, refers to situations where where extinguishers have not been tested and may be inadequate.
