When you have to decide what type of fire extinguisher you need to buy, as there are different types, it is necessary to take into consideration the type of fire. Commonly, the choice falls on powder fire extinguishers, which are very appreciated for their very high extinguishing power and reasonable cost: here is what they contain, how they work and what their prices online and in specialised shops are.
The first question to answer is: what do the fire extinguishers contain? They consist of a shell made of sheet steel, pressurized with inert gas or with dehumidified air at about 15 bar, while inside there are powders consisting mainly of saline compounds, such as potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate (for class B and C fire) and ammonium sulphate and monoammonic phosphate (for class A, B and C fire). The effects of the powder on the fire are smothering, cooling and chemical inhibition. Polyvalent powders (A, B, C powders) are the most widely used extinguishing agent both for the universality of their use and for their high efficiency: for this reason, they can be used on energised electrical equipment and systems, class A materials and flammable liquids.
Once the composition of the powder fire extinguisher has been established, it is advisable to check a series of variables before using it:
After completing these important steps, the powder fire extinguisher can be used on electrical panels up to 1000 V; Class A materials such as paper, wood, plastics and textiles; flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel and alcohol; class D materials such as aluminium, sodium and potassium, only with special powders. Furthermore, another aspect to take into consideration is the ability of this fire extinguisher to put out a lot of outbreaks, thanks to its special structural feature.
The price of the powder fire extinguisher depends on the size of the product you choose: for example, the 6 kg fire extinguisher can be used comfortably to protect shops, offices, construction sites, vehicles and in general all those companies where there is a fire hazard. Adaptable and safe, it is perfect for medium and high fire risk environments and allows you to extinguish mixed fires that also include liquids, flammable gases and electrical components. This product can be bought online or in specialised shops and costs about 20/30 €. For 9 kg powder fire extinguishers, suitable for larger spaces and where the fire risk is higher, the price is about 80/90 €.
