Emme Antincendio works in Italy and abroad by virtue of its fire extinguishers wide range: Co2 , Dry Powder And Foam Fire Extinguishers , with characteristics respecting the needs too of cold in the North of Italy/Europe ( Class F foam fire extinguishers validations and certifications up to -30 C°). In the last years, with the coming of globalization, the market is evolving, therefore, the Emme company, drawing on its own experience and its high quality standard of production, has invested in new products addressed to European market with over 100 certifications of new fire extinguishers.
CO2 fire extinguisher is used for extinguishing B class fires ( flammable liquids). This extinguishing agent is clean, non-corrosive and leaves no residues so it's no damaging to electrical equipment and machinery.
This type of extinguisher is higly pressurized with carbon dioxide, which is a non-flammable inert gas ( a pressure at about 55/60 bar at 20° ).
The main way CO” extinguishes fire is by smothering. If applied correctly, it reduces the oxygen content in the air around the fuel to below that required for combustion to take place.
It's non-conductor of electricity. It means that carbon dioxide is suitable for use on fires where electrical systems may still be under power.
Today carbon dioxide is the most commonly used “inert” gas extinguishing agent,
The body of these extinguishers is generally smaller and slightly than the taller and slender body of the all-purpose extinguishers. The body is entire without weld joints, and it can be made in steel or light alloy.
Fire extinguishers manufactured before the PED legisltion are obliged to respect the time limits according to the legislation on the subject of molten and pressurized gases.
Its label must show: testing pressure, year of construction, identification number,tare, possible testing dates, maker's name.
Generally fire extinguishers have a colored band covering part of the surface relating to the extinguisher's contents. Each differnt type of extinguisher agents has a corresponding colour making identification easier for the user, Often CO2 type has the grey one, but it is not obligatory.
CO2 fire extinguisher has a safety valve that operates when the pressure inside the tank pass 170 bar. In this case, when the pressure is too high, the burst disc ( It's like a fuse for pressure) blows and it allows the fire extinguisher depressurization.
CO2 is approved for use on B class fires, but it's not suitable for A class fires ( flammable solids, flammable gasses or cooking fat ). Co2 also has several limitations and disadvantages:
When use a CO2 fire extinguisher, the first step is to place it in a upright position using its carrying handle, hold the carrying handle in one hand, and pull out the ring pin with the other hand. The ring pin normally keeps the operating lever locked and prevents the extinguisher from discharging accidentally. Then direct the extinguisher at the near edge of the flames and swept from side to side toward the back of the fire or toward the center of the area that is burning (it is important not to touch the discharge horn, because it may become very cold during discharge).
For fires involving electrical equipment, the extinguisher should be aimed at he base of the fire.
There are a number of differnt types of Dry Powder Extinguishers available. Some for use against specific risks, some that are more general purpose. The main types are: Sodium Bicarbonate – Potassium Bicarbonate – Mixed Powders ( Sodium and Potassium Sulphate, Monammonium Phosphate, etc...) – D Class Powders, General Purpose Powders.
The most common type (ABC DRY CHEMICAL), suitable for Class A, B, C fires and for electrical appliances, contains monoammonium phosphate, and as the name implies can be used on Class A ( burning solids), B (liquid fires) and C (gasses). There are also special powders ( D class ) for tackling fires involving metals ( magnesium and titanium) that would react with all other extinguishing agents.
In general Dry Powders Extinguishers, if exposed to the atmospheres, will absorb moisture from the air ( this can lead to the powder caking and losing its ability to flow correctly).
When Dry Powder is correctly applied to a fire, the powder decomposes and produces free radicals that interrupt the combustion process. The substance forms an insulating layer over the burning material, weakening the flames, the oxygen is excluded and so there's a smothering effect on the fire.
The discharging operation of a dry chemical extinguishers varies not only with extinguisher type but also with fire type. Generally, before using a fire extinguisher, it's necessary to verify: pressure level, by the pressure gauge ( when it's available); that you're using the right type of fire extinguisher for the fire class that you're fighting; checking possible alterations.
Dry chemical fire extinguisher has many advantages:
It's suitable and effective on most fire risks and it can also be used on electrical fires, but provides a significant cleanup and corrosion problem that is likely to make the electrical equipment unsalvageable; at the same time, on discharge, the extinguisher forms a dense cloud of powder which may temporarily restrict vision and may cause respiratory irritation.
A foam fire extinguisher is non toxic, not damaging to most materials. It extinguishes fires progressively (not suddenly and violently ), and prevents the re-ignition of flammable liquid fires. It works by forming a blanket on the surface of a burning liquid or solid. It discharge a water-based solution to which a measured amount of foam concentrate has been added. The nozzles on foam fire extinguishers are designed to introduce air into the discharge stream, thereby producing a foam blanket.
Foam extinguishing agents are formulated for use on either A Class or B Class fires.
Class A foam extinguishers for ordinary combustible fires extinguish fires in the same way that water extinguishes fires. This type of extinguisher can be produced by adding Class A foam concentrate to the water ( combining the cooling effect of water with the smothering benefits of foam extinguishing agents). The foam concentrate reduces the surface tension of the water, allowing for better penetration of the foam into the burning materials.
Class B foam fire extinguishers discharge a foam solution that floats accross the surface of a burning liquid, creating a blanket that separates the fuel from oxygen. This blanket prevents the fuel from vaporizing. It forms a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen, extinguishing the flames and preventing the reignition.
The most commonly encountered Class B additives are aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and film-forming fluoroprotein (FFFP) foam.
Which one should be used depends on the product's compatibility with a particular flammable and other extinguishing agents that could be used on the same fire.
Foam fire extinguishers are ideal for use in offices, garages, boats, caravans, kitchens and other multi risk premises. This type of fire extinguisher is highly effective against flammable solid and flammable liquid fires( wood, paper, and textile fires as well as petrol, oil, diesel and other volatile liquid fires).
