Fire extinguishers are the unsung heroes of fire safety. These handy devices stand by ready to be deployed in case of an emergency situation.
Fire extinguishers must be regularly charged and inspected to meet local and state fire codes. This guide to fire extinguisher parts outlines all the components that comprise these lifesaving devices.
Cylindrical Tank
Cylindrical fuel tanks have long been an efficient storage solution for many industries. Mobile for use at transportation depots and stackable for efficient storage purposes, these containers also come equipped with fittings so they can easily integrate with transport vehicles.
Storage tanks are commonly employed for storing fuel gases in the oil and gas industry, in chemical factories to store chemicals, in agricultural, water treatment, food and beverage sectors as well as agriculture to store materials like fertilizers or pesticides.
Valve Assembly
Valves are essential components of machinery designed to regulate gas or fluid. Typical features of valves include their mechanism as well as casing and an actuation mechanism (whether electrical or manual).
Smoke detectors and a heat detector can be found іn almost every setting, playing an invaluable role іn keeping people safe.
Carry Handle
As fire extinguishers are ubiquitous across offices and stores, few individuals understand their inner workings. Gaining this knowledge could save lives in an emergency situation. Learn the various parts of a fire extinguisher so you can use one effectively - this includes comprehending its safety pin, operating lever, pressure gauge and nozzle - along with keeping an evacuation path clear in case a fire arises.
Operating Lever
Fire extinguishers contain chemical and propellant under pressure that is designed for quick use in emergencies by anyone, making them easy for anyone to use during an emergency situation.
After you pull the safety pin, press/squeeze the operating lever to activate an extinguisher. It is held securely in place by a plastic tamper seal to prevent accidental discharge and is held by a pawl return spring trapped between it and a flattened portion of its shaft.
Pull Pin
This metal pin can be installed into the valve portion of a fire extinguisher to help prevent accidental discharge (for instance accidentally pressing down on its operating lever when trying to transport it elsewhere). Additionally, it comes complete with a plastic tamper seal for added peace of mind.
These quick-release pins are ideal for adjusting tubing, tooling, latches, fixtures and gates of all sorts. Available in various sizes and materials including low carbon steel with zinc plating for extra corrosion protection.
Tamper Seal
Tamper seals prevent the pull pin from coming loose accidentally and act as a way of verifying that a fire extinguisher has not been used or altered without authorisation.
These security seals, also referred to as plastic or cable seals, are class 'H' ISO 17712 certified and feature high tensile strength; removal requires substantial bolt cutters.
Pressure Gauge
Fire extinguisher valve assemblies typically feature a small, circular pressure gauge to indicate whether there is enough pressure in the tank to effectively extinguish fires in an emergency situation. When charged correctly, its arrow should appear within the green zone; otherwise it indicates undercharging of its contents.
CO2 extinguishers do not feature pressure gauges. A pickup tube allows extinguishing agent to travel from its tank to the nozzle for extinguishment purposes.
Nozzle
The nozzle of a fire extinguisher hose directs fire suppression agent towards any burning incident, with an easy-to-read label providing instructions on how to use and target fire types it should be used on.
Nozzle design is an intricacie of engineering that encompasses studying how forces influence fluid flow, then designing structures to optimize performance.
Hose
On both water and carbon dioxide extinguishers, nozzles or hoses provide precise control of the firefighting substance that exits the extinguisher. They feature handles to assist with handling, metal locking pins to prevent accidental discharge, plastic tamper seals to protect from accidental discharge, as well as dip tubes where fire-fighting agent is drawn up for expulsion.
Fire extinguishers are found in virtually every workplace and home. Knowing what makes up an extinguisher and how to use it in an emergency could save lives.
Labels and Instructions
Each fire extinguisher comes equipped with a label stating the types of fire it can put out as well as instructions for using the unit.
The valve assembly connects the carry handle to the operating lever and controls the flow of extinguishing agent. It features a machined body equipped with metal locking pin, plastic tamper seals and release lever.
