Diffirent Fire Extinguishers are effective for perticular type of Fires. Hence Selection of perticular Fire Suppression should be done basis material involved in that perticular Fire type class.
Fire Classification as defined in IS 2190 and NFPA 10 :
| Fire Class | Types of Fire – Material Involved in Fire | Types of Extinguishers / Suppression |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Material Involved in Fire : Solid Combustible Material of Organic nature. Material Eg : Wood, Paper, Rubber, Plastics etc.. | Extinguiser Effect Essential : Cooling Effect of water. Extinguiser Eg : Water, foam, ABC dry power and halocarbons. |
| Class B | Material Involved in Fire : Flammable Liquids, Liquefiable Solids, Flammable Gases Material Eg : Petroleum, Tar, Paints, Greases, Solvents, Alcohols, Propen Gas, Butane Gas etc.. | Extinguiser Effect Essential : Blanketing Effect. Extinguiser Eg : Foam, dry powder, clean agent and carbon dioxide extinguishers. |
| Class C | Material Involved in Fire : Energized Electrical Equipments Material Eg : Electrical Panels, Distribution Boards, Servers, Motors, Transformers etc.. | Extinguiser Effect Essential : Electrically nonconductive Extinguishing media. Extinguiser Eg : Dry powder, clean agent and carbon dioxide. |
| Class D | Material Involved in Fire : Combustible metals, Material Eg : Magnesium, Aluminium, Zinc, Sodium, Potassium etc. | Extinguiser Effect Essential : Special media and techniques to extinguish. Extinguiser Eg : Special dry powder |
| Class K | Material Involved in Fire : Commercial cooking Oil, Fat Material Eg : Vegetable or animal cooking Oil, Fat | Extinguiser Effect Essential : wet mist Chemical fire extinguisher Extinguiser Eg : Alkaline mixture, Potassium carbonate etc |
In case of Electrical Equipment (eg Electrical Panels, Distribution Boards, Servers, Motors, Transformers etc..) is involved in Fire, NON-CONDUCTIVE Fire Suppression media is must. Eg. Dry powder, clean agent and carbon dioxide.
What is Fire ?
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and reaction by products.
What are the Stages of Fire?
Fire can be bifurcated in 4 Stages :
1) Incipient
2) Growth
3) Fully developed
4) Decay
What is Flashover ?
Flashover is the rapid transition of fire between Growth and Fully Developed Stages.