Powder fire extinguisher: principle of operation, device, purpose and characteristics

Powder extinguisher - a device to neutralize and eliminate fire by the method of releasing the extinguishing mixture contained in it. There are also analogues acting on the basis of water, foam and gas. But in terms of efficiency, they are inferior to powder models.

Types of liquidated fires

The principle of operation of a powder fire extinguisher allows you to deal with the following classes of ignitions:

• A - solids light up.
• In - liquid elements.
• C - gaseous components or electrical installations with an indicator of 1000 V.
• E - electrical installations.

And when alkaline and alkaline earth materials ignite (category D), these devices are powerless. After all, here for the flame does not require air. And in these situations, foam models are used.

Types by Volume

Powder devices can be portable and mobile. Many enterprises have the first options, the volume of which is in the range of 1-10 liters.

Both types of cylinders must comply with the following GOSTs: 51057-2001 and P51057-97.

The common abbreviation for a powder fire extinguisher is OP. Depending on the model, the number 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 or 100 is added to this name. It reflects the average parameter of the protected area. For example, OP-2 - 20 square meters. m, and OP-10 - 100 square meters. m

The minimum charge weight in containers is 50 grams, the maximum is 100 kg. Powder throwing distance: 2-6 m. Duration: 6-30 sec.

Depending on the type, purpose and principle of operation of the powder fire extinguisher, its configuration should include such elements:

• mounting bracket
• the balloon itself
• repair kit,
• passport with instructions for use.

Device requirements

All fire extinguishers must have a marking and designation:

• ignition classes that this device can extinguish,
• method of activation of the device and its initial use,
• electrical safety warnings
• temperature spectrum of operation,
• actions after use,
• certificate numbering
• other data in accordance with GOST.

Also, all cylinders are subjected to mandatory tests in an isolated room and sent to determine the degree of their safety for users and the effectiveness of fire extinguishing.

There should be marks on the cylinder on the implementation of these tests.

The structure and fundamentals of work

The design of a powder fire extinguisher and its principle of operation are shown in the diagram below.

There are such components:

1. Case in which fire extinguishing powder is placed.
2. A head having a striker.
3. Source of gas.
4. Siphon tube.
5. Trigger handle.
6. Flexible sleeve.
7. Spray gun.
8. Powder

To activate the device, you should follow this algorithm:

1. Tear off a check with a seal.
2. Take the trigger handle, while squeezing the handle of the gun.

These steps take a matter of seconds. In the cylinder itself, when the trigger is retracted, the gas source is activated. It mixes with the powder and forms a strong pressure in the body. It pushes the created mixture to extinguish the flame.

In general, the principle of operation of a powder fire extinguisher is as follows: the functional gas is in the housing. During the reaction of the locking-starting technology, the powder follows a siphon tube into the hose and to the nozzle. It is served in metered or single volume. And once on the ignition site, the powder blocks the fire from the air. This is its main function.

For this reason, powder apparatus cannot eliminate fires without oxygen.

Actions before work

Before operating a fire extinguisher:

1. Check the pressure parameter in the housing. If the device has a pressure gauge, look at the position of its arrow. If it is in the green sector, then the cylinder is ready for work, if in the red sector it is not.
2. Check for defects.

Further, the capacity in relation to the flame center is located on the windward side, the check is pulled out, the nozzle is directed to ignition. The start lever is pressed. Extinguishing process in progress.

There are also automatic models. And when the room temperature reaches critical parameters, they are activated independently.

Model OP-5

A fire extinguisher is designed to neutralize a fire in a small area. It is characterized by compactness, modest mass and versatility. On the labeling there are designations ABCE - these are classes of liquidated ignitions.

The principle of operation of an OP-5 powder fire extinguisher is reduced to an almost instantaneous ejection of a powder jet. Once at the source of ignition, it forms a layer that prevents the flow of oxygen.

The positive aspects of this model are as follows:

1. Extinguishing electrical structures with a parameter of not more than 1000 V.
2. The active component of the balloon does not harm the respiratory system.
3. Does not cool the production area.

Negative:

1. A sharp decline in visibility when working in isolated rooms.
2. The active element during release may freeze in the air, as it is finely dispersed.
3. Corruption by the body of household appliances, finishing components, etc. Powder is melted at different temperatures at different temperatures and cannot be eliminated.

In such a powder fire extinguisher, the purpose, device and principle of operation are in many respects similar to those of other OP models. To extinguish the fire, the balloon is brought to the center of ignition. To start the seal is removed, the check is eliminated. The jet is ejected after the handle is pulled all the way up and pressed. While it is being held, the active substance enters.

After applying the cylinder, the OP-5 is recharged.

Technical information about OP-5

The diagram of the presented device looks like this:

Components:

1 - housing.

2 - siphon tube.

3 - valve.

4 - carrying handle

5 - check.

6 - launch handle.

7 - pressure gauge.

8 - locking and starting head.

9 - a flexible hose.

10 - gauge needle

The physical data of the container are reflected below:

1. The mass of the fully equipped apparatus is 6.8 kg.
2. The operational period is 10 years.
3. Recharge rate - 1 time in 5 years.
4. Temperature conditions for storage and operation: -20 ... + 50 ° .

The cylinder is placed in special fasteners - wall brackets. During storage, it is important not to deform its body and not cause mechanical damage to it.

Due to the principle of operation, this type of powder fire extinguisher can be used in transport, in office premises, private houses, hotels and apartments

Fire extinguishing component

Such in powder devices is a crushed variation of mineral compositions. Typically, these are salts:

• potassium
• sodium
• phosphoric ammonium.

Components that prevent powder deterioration are also added to the main mixture, for example: talc, nepheline compounds based on silicon organics

Since the principle of the action of a powder fire extinguisher is the pressure of the compressed gas to eject the powder, the form of this gas is carefully selected. Most often it is oxygen or nitrogen. They have the necessary properties for the normal functioning of the mechanism.

Pricing Issues

The cost of powder apparatus is determined by their volume. It matters whether the model is portable or mobile.

The price of devices is indicated in the table (average values).

Mobile Cost Summary:

Carbon dioxide

When class B, C, E flames involving oxygen occur, powder versions are powerless. And carbon dioxide devices come into operation. To extinguish the elimination of Class A flames, they can only be used if there is no internal smoldering of the materials.

The principle of operation of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is based on the rapid expansion of the gas concentrated in it. As a result, a certain amount of cold is released. Therefore, the bells for exiting the extinguishing element (such as liquid carbon dioxide) are always plastic or metal. In the first case, a special heat-resistant material is used.

When working with a cylinder, you should not affect the sockets, because their temperature can reach -70 degrees.

Such cylinders are often used in offices, as they do not pollute computers and other office equipment during the extinguishing process.

The potential area of ​​defense is in the range of 10-550 square meters. m

A carbon dioxide cylinder is most effective in the initial stages of the spread of fire and in those areas where, due to various circumstances, water cannot be used.

Construction and work

A diagram of the carbon dioxide apparatus is shown in the figure below.

The composition includes:

1. Very durable metal housing. It extinguishes a substance under solid pressure.
2. Trigger mechanism. Arranged in the neck of item 1
3. A siphon tube connected to step 2. It descends to the very bottom of the vessel.
4. Metal tube. With its help, paragraph 2 is fastened with a bell.

Species Comparison

Both powder and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, the purpose and principle of operation are almost similar. The difference lies in the active substance and some structural aspects.

To start the device, you need to remove the seal and send the bell to the fire. The lever is pressed, the active substance exits through the siphon tube. In carbon dioxide models, it is converted to snow. And after using them, you need to thoroughly ventilate the room, since a hazardous substance (CO ₂ ) is concentrated in the air. Even its concentration of 2-4% can cause severe suffocation.

After the operation of the OP, such measures are not required.

Carbon dioxide price tags

They are determined by the parameters of the protected area and the type of modification: portable or mobile.

Data on the average cost of the first species are shown in the table below.

Mobile Modifications Summary:

Criterias of choice

With information on the purpose, characteristics and principle of operation of powder fire extinguishers, it remains only to make their purchase.

To do this, consider:

1. The area of ​​the defended premises and its shape (whether there are partitions, corridors, stairs, etc.) and evacuation methods. For 10 square meters. m usually 1 kg of fire extinguishing mixture.
2. Category of potential fire.
3. Parameters of the cylinder and the circle of persons - its potential users. For example, installing a 16 kg cylinder in a kindergarten will seriously complicate its use.
4. The presence of seals and certification documents.
5. The degree of effectiveness of the apparatus.