Type of Extinguisher System

There are several types of portable extinguishing systems, as follow:

• Dry chemical extinguishing systems
• Gaseous agent extinguishing systems
• Water spray and foam extinguishing systems

Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems

Dry chemical extinguishing systems must be compatible with any foams or wetting agents with which they are used. This type of extinguishing system is best for workplace environments likely to encounter electrical fires, as well as fires that burn paper, wood, rubber, cloth, and plastics, or flammable liquids, including grease, oil, gasoline, and oil based paints.

Gaseous Agent Extinguishing Systems

Gaseous agent extinguishing systems must use approved agents. This type of extinguishing system is referred to as a clean agent system because it does not leave any residue after discharge, which is ideal for protecting work environments where extinguishing systems could damage sensitive electronics, such as on an aircraft, in armored vehicles, in archival storage, and in museums where there are valuable documents.

Water Spray and Foam Extinguishing Systems

Foam and water spray extinguishing systems must be effective in controlling fire in the protected area or on protected equipment, with water draining away from areas where employees are working and with no emergency exit permitted through the drainage path. This type of extinguishing system is best for workplace environments likely to encounter fires that burn paper, wood, rubber, cloth, and plastics, as well as flammable liquids, including grease, oil, gasoline, and oil based paints.

To learn more about Fire Extinguishers visit our Portable Fire Extinguishers Online Training web page.