Extract from BrandschutzSpezial Feuerlschgerte/Lschmittel/Lschwassertechnik (Fire Protection Special Mobile) 2010.

bvfa Bundesverband Technischer Brandschutz, Koellikerstrae13, D-97070Wrzburg, info@bvfa.de, www.bvfa.de.

In environments with huge numbers of people, and potentially limited means of escape, firefighting actions can make the difference between life and death.

The most effective appliance deployed first for firefighting

The portable fire extinguisher

A 31-year-old passenger reacted with lightning speed on May 29th 2005 when a carriage on the Berlin underground system caught fire. It was reported in the Berlin press: It was exactly 14.48 at the entrance to the Rehberge station in Wedding when the driver of the train saw in the rear-view mirror an arc in the track bed where the third carriage was. Parts of the collector had caught fire. BVG immediately switched off the traction current. Dense smoke was rising. BVG workers cleared the train and the underground station and led all of the passengers to safety, uninjured. Fuad F. had already grabbed a fire extinguisher. He succeeded in putting out the fire. When the fire brigade arrived shortly afterwards, most of the work had already been done.
Fire extinguishers are indispensible as appliances deployed first. Fire extinguishers are suitable for immediate deployment for fighting small and incipient fires. They contain extinguishing agents ejected by pressure which is generated on deployment or stored. Portable fire extinguishers are governed in European Norm EN 3. Fire extinguishers must be type-tested and certified. The red colour of the appliances enables them to be located easily when a fire starts. It is a legal stipulation that companies have fire extinguishers. The number of fire extinguishers to be provided is based on the type and size of the company. Fire extinguisher types: Charge extinguishers are fire extinguishers comprising of two cylinders (for extinguishing agent and propellant. The extinguisher is pressurised by activating the trigger mechanism. The expanding agent (propellant, e.g. carbon dioxide) flows into the extinguishing agent cylinder, pressurising it. Continuous pressure extinguisher (permanent extinguishers) are fire extinguishers containing extinguishing agent and propellant together in one extinguishing agent cylinder. After activating the trigger mechanism, the extinguishing agent shoots out of the fire extinguisher under pressure via the riser tube, the discharge hose and the nozzle. Gas extinguishers are appliances in which the extinguishing agent (carbon dioxide, CO2) is also the propellant. There is a proper fire extinguisher for every fire it depends on the requirements and the application area. Powder extinguishers are all-rounders and are suitable for use in outside areas and for vehicle fires - and so can be found in underground and multi-storey car parks as well as in the chemical industry. Metal fire extinguishers contain metal fire powder which covers the metal fire to pre-

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Deployment of fire extinguishers in the event of a fire

85% of incipient fires are put out successfully with fire extinguisers. The powder extinguisher is used most commonly, followed by the foam extinguisher.
Source: bvfa census 2009.

bvfa  BRANDSCHUTZSPEZIAL | Feuerlschgerte Lschmittel Lschwassertechnik

The portable fire extinguisher

vent further damage (difficult to fight - a metal fire cannot be extinguished). A thick molten mass forms preventing the supply of oxygen to the seat of the fire. This isolates the fire and prevents heating of the surrounding area. They are indispensible in businesses machining lightweight metals and in metal recycling plants. Carbon dioxide extinguishers put out fires without leaving any residue. They are deployed for electronic and electrical installations and in areas having particular hygiene requirements. Water extinguishers contain one of the oldest extinguishing agents one which is not harmful to humans, animals or the environment. Water extinguishers are especially suitable for putting out textile, paper and cardboard packaging fires. They have proven their worth in sales and exhibition rooms. Foam extinguishers are the most effec tive alternative to powder extinguishers. They are especially suited for areas containing different materials. Areas of application include administration and production areas, office areas, practises and public areas. Fat fire extinguishers were developed to prevent fat fire explosions when putting out fat fires. The extinguishing agent prohibits the supply of oxygen and cools the burnt material, preventing the fire from flaring up again. These powerful extinguishers are used in large kitchens, canteens, the catering industry and snack bars.

Testing and maintenance

A fire extinguisher is a firefighting appliance which must work perfectly in an emergency situation. Expert maintenance of the fire extinguisher is therefore vital. Maintenance work on portable fire extinguishers may only be carried out by technical experts in accordance with DIN 14406-4. Additional testing must be carried out by qualified personnel in accordance with Workplace Safety Ordinance BetrSichV (TRBS 1203-2). The manufacturers maintenance regulations take precedence for this work. DIN 14406-4 and the relevant regulations as specified in Workplace Safety Ordinance BetrSichV are binding. Maintenance schedules for specified fire extinguishers are derived from federal and state regulations in conjunction with DIN 14406-4 (see the Maintenance of fire extinguishers article in this document).

Mandatory regulations
Before 1991, the standard applicable for the manufacture of portable fire extinguishers in West Germany was DIN 14406, Parts 1-3. This was then superseded by European Norm EN 3 (Portable fire extinguishers). Unchanged since 1984 however, and still ap plicable for the maintenance of fire extinguishers in Germany, is norm DIN 14406, Part 4 (DIN 14406-4:2009-09, Portable fire extinguishers, Part4: Maintenance).
Everyone should be familiar with using fire extinguishers in private households.

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Fire extinguishers facts, not fables

Fire extinguishers work for 2-3 minutes. It is a fact that fire extinguishers only produce a continuous jet for about 30-60 seconds (depending on size). Because the fire is put out in fits and starts, this time is usually long enough to successfully extinguish a fire. Fire extinguishers are not effective at all when fighting large fires. It is true that fire extinguishers are designed for extinguishing incipient fires. Anyone who has experience in practising firefighting with a fire extinguisher will known it is surprising just how effective a fire extinguisher can be if used correctly. This is why practical firefighting exercises using fire extinguishers are so important for the trust in firefighting capability. Fire extinguishers are all the same. It is a fact that, apart from all being red, there are major differences between the products available on the market. There are fire extinguishers in different quality and performance classes. Many fire extinguishers are only suitable for specific purposes. Which fire extinguisher is the right one for the user? This question can be answered by experts, fire protection advisers and your fire extinguisher customer service department. Firefighting causes a lot of mess. It is true that the right fire extinguisher should be selected for the right environment. In private households and in offices, the powder extinguisher, for example, is less suitable than the foam extinguisher (which representing a good compromise between firefighting capability and potential mess). What must be borne in mind at all times is that if an incipient fire is not extinguished at all, or extinguished too late, in an emergency, the consequences are usually incomparably worse than the mess caused when the fire is extinguished quickly and successfully.

Fire extinguishers are difficult to use. It is a fact that operating instructions are affixed to every fire extinguisher in the form of diagrams having a precisely specified size. It is best to keep operation imprinted in the mind so that no issues arise in an emergency. Fire extinguishers can be used repeatedly. It is a fact that refilling is always necessary after usage and partial emptying. This is for your own safety as only a full fire extinguisher fulfils its purpose. The fire extinguisher can, however, be filled and readied for use again virtually any number of times. Fire extinguishers are dangerous. It is true that, when fire extinguishers are serviced regularly, they are not dangerous at all when used. They are only dangerous when not serviced and have rust spots, for example.When deployed, the pressure can drop abruptly, indicating how important regular servicing is.

bvfa  BRANDSCHUTZSPEZIAL | Feuerlschgerte Lschmittel Lschwassertechnik

The portable fire extinguisher

An overview of the fire classes

Fire extinguisher types

Solid, ember- forming materials

Materials which are liquid or become liquid e.g. paints, dyes, alcohol, fuel, wax, tar, many s ynthetics

Gaseous materials, even under pressure e.g. methane, acetylene, domestic gas, propane, hydrogen

Combustible metals

Cooking fats and oils in chip pans/ deep fryers (fat fire) Cooking fats and oils

e.g. wood, paper, synthetics, coal, textiles, car tyres, straw Powder extinguisher with ABC extinguishing powder Powder extinguisher with BC powder Powder extinguisher with metal fire powder Carbon dioxide extinguisher Water extinguisher (also with additives, e.g. surface-active agent, antifreeze or anti-corrosion agent) Water extinguisher with additives which also put out fires in fire class B in conjunction with water Foam extinguisher Fat fire extinguisher

e.g. aluminium, sodium, potassium, magnesium

= suitable

= not suitable