The document discusses different types of fires and fire extinguishers used to combat them. It outlines classes of fires from A to K based on the type of fuel or material burning. Corresponding types of fire extinguishers are also described, including how they work to put out fires through methods like removing heat, oxygen, or interrupting chemical reactions. Common chemicals found in different fire extinguishers are then explained, along with some of their health risks if exposed including irritation, hypoxia, frostbite burns, and in rare cases even death.

1. J O S H D E G U Z M A N
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

2. TYPES OF FIRES
• Class A: fires in ordinary combustibles; wood,
paper, cloth, trash, plastics
• Class B: fires in flammable liquids and gases;
gasoline, petroleum oil, paint, propane, butane
• Class C: fires involving energized electrical
equipment; motors, transformers, appliances
• Class D: fires in combustible metals; potassium,
sodium, aluminum, magnesium
• Class K: fires in cooking oils and greases; animal
and vegetable fats

3. TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
• Water and Foam – take away heat element;
separate oxygen element from other elements;
Class A
• Carbon Dioxide – take away oxygen element;
remove heat with cold discharge; Class B, C
• Dry Chemical – interrupt chemical reaction; barrier
between oxygen element and fuel element; Class A,
B, C
• Wet Chemical – removes heat element; prevents
re-ignition with barrier of oxygen/fuel element; Class
K
• Halogenated/Clean Agent – interrupt chemical
reaction; halon agent and halocarbon agent; Class
B, C
• Dry Powder – separate fuel from oxygen element;
remove heat element; Class D

4. CHEMICALS IN FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
• Dry Chemicals:
• Mono ammonium phosphate – nonconductive, corrosive; Class A, B, C
• Sodium bicarbonate – nontoxic, noncorrosive; Class B, C
• Potassium bicarbonate – nonconductive, noncorrosive; Class B, C
• Wet Chemicals:
• Potassium acetate-based agent – Class K
• Halons:
• Bromochlorodifluoromethane (CF2ClBr) or Halon 1211 - Class B, C
• Bromotrifluoromethane (CF3Br) or Halon 1301 – Class B, C
• Hydrofluorocarbons:
• CHF3, C2HF5, C3HF7 – Class B, C
• Metal Powders:
• Copper or sodium chloride – Class D

5. HEALTH RISKS FROM EXPOSURE
• Carbon dioxide:
• Headache, SOB, increase BP, dizziness (4-10%)
• Unconsciousness, muscle twitching (10-15%)
• Coma (17%) or death (34%)
• Dry powder:
• Irritation of nose, throat, eyes, skin
• Gastric distress
• Case study – inhaled dry chemical extinguisher spray during car accident
• Prevent lungs from exchanging oxygen; hypoxia
• Severe hypoxia causes build up of lactic acid
• Results in cardiac arrest
• Possible ARDS – powder causes lungs to build up fluid
• Halon:
• Asphyxiation
• Frostbite burns
• Skin/eye irritation
• Unconsciousness, dizziness
• Irregular heartbeats, heart attack

6. SOURCES
• http://www.atmos.umd.edu/~russ/MSDS/ABC_fire_extinguish
er_1.htm
• http://www.ehow.com/list_6185441_health-exposure-fire-
extinguisher-chemicals.html
• http://www.emergencymgmt.com/health/Health-Risks-Fire-
Extinguishers.html
• http://www.femalifesafety.org/types-of-extinguishers.html
• http://homeguides.sfgate.com/ingredients-fire-extinguisher-
94660.html
• https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/portable_about.
html
• http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-chemicals-are-
used-i/