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Generally, fire safety extinguishers can be classified into two types. The most popular design which is commonly used in households and small establishments is the stored-pressure type. In this design, both the fire-fighting chemical and the expellant are stored in a single metallic chamber, so it is usually good for only a single use and will require recharging or replacing afterwards.
The second type is the cartridge-operated fire safety extinguisher. With this type, the fire-fighting chemical is stored in a separate cartridge which gives it the advantage of fast and easier recharging. Because of this, it is most commonly used on industrial environments where fire accidents are frequent.
For your safety however, you must not overestimate the capabilities of this humble fire safety tool. If you run towards a room that is covered with thick fire up to the ceiling and you are hoping that you can control the situation with your fire safety extinguisher, then you are rushing to your death.
Yes, a fire safety extinguisher is good for controlling fire, but only fires that are can still be put under control. This fire safety tool is designed to extinguish medium sized fires before they grow too big and out of control. But when the fire has already spread and covered a large section of the room, then it is time to call for professional help. You should contact the nearest fire department immediately.
You must also prevent yourself from inhaling the substance expelled by the extinguisher. These can contain chemicals which can be harmful to your health, especially if you have respiratory complications. Therefore, it is a good practice to store safety masks near fire extinguishers.
It is also important to learn the proper use of a fire extinguisher. You do not really have to be a professional to operate this fire safety tool, but you must know the basics of its use so you know what to do in times of emergencies.
Basically, the first thing that you need to do is to remove the safety pin which is also probably secured by an easily torn plastic ring. Then lift the cylinder from the lever with one hand and hold the nozzle with the other hand. Make sure that you point the nozzle at the base of the fire and not on the body or the head of the fire.
When in the right position, press down the lever to release the fire-fighting substance and empty the contents of the cylinder until the fire is completely extinguished. If there are multiple fires, you can move from one spot to another but only after the first that you aimed at is completely extinguished.
Other than fire extinguishers, there are also other useful fire safety tools out there that you can use. Learn about all of them and their proper use for better security and protection from fire hazards.
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