There are different fire extinguishers that are required in different businesses. This is because different fire extinguishers are designed to put out different fires. Dependent on the sort of fires you may have in your business, will result in the types of fire extinguishers you need in your business.
In this blog post we look at carbon dioxide fire extinguishers. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is recognisable by the black label. This sort of fire extinguisher is suitable for electrical fires or flammable liquid fires. The fire extinguisher works by displacing the oxygen in the air. This works to suffocate the fire and prevent it from spreading.
However, there are some risks that come with a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher.
For example, if you use this type of fire extinguisher in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space then there is a serious risk of asphyxiation. This type of fire extinguisher also has a higher pressure that other fire extinguishers. If it was to be used without the proper hose or horn fitted there is a good chance that the kick-back could cause serious injuries to the user. These injuries include wrist strains or even a broken wrist.
The higher pressure of the carbon dioxide fire extinguisher also results in a quicker discharge too. This is why it is essential that anyone thinking that they can put the fire out, should be sure they can do it quickly before trying to tackle the fire. The quick discharge of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher can mean the contents are spent before the fire is touched.
There is also a risk of frost burn when using this type of fire extinguisher. This is because the liquid is turned in a gas during discharge. This is done at an extremely low temperature. If the extinguisher is not held correctly or if it does not have a frost-free horn, frost burn is a very real and dangerous risk.
It’s important to remember that carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are designed for tackling electrical fires. This means that there is the electrical risk of electrocution. It is recommended that you cut off the electrical supply completely and ideally isolate the power supply before you attempt to put out an electrical fire with a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher.
Do you have the right fire extinguishers in your business? Do you know how to use them in case of an emergency? When were your fire extinguishers last checked? When were they last maintained? Call our team now to ensure you have the right extinguishers in good working order and trained employees to use them in case of an emergency.
