The fire extinguisher OU-1 is the most popular among its carbon dioxide counterparts. Why exactly him? Let's find the answer to this question, and also consider its distinguishing characteristics, scope and algorithm of application, the frequency of maintenance.
Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher OU-1
In the modern world, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are considered the most universal of the available fire fighting equipment.
A number of factors contribute to this:
- low cost;
- the possibility of reusable charging;
- ability to cope with the majority of domestic and part industrial fires encountered;
- environmental friendliness;
- respect for the treated surface, the absence of signs of extinguishing on it.
Depending on the capacity of the cylinder, it is marked from one to seven. For example: OU-1 fire extinguisher, OU-2 fire extinguisher, etc.
The indicated number indicates the maximum mass of carbon dioxide that can be pumped into the device. It is worth considering that inside the cylinder, CO 2 is in a liquefied state, which means it is measured in liters. For the convenience of calculating the total mass of the apparatus, they are converted into kilograms. Therefore, although the maximum mass of the OU-1 fire extinguisher is one kilogram, its volume is 1.34 liters.
The indicated weight applies only to carbon dioxide, without the mass of the cylinder. Therefore, despite the minimum volume, the total weight of this device is five kilograms.
As is clear from the marking, the smallest of such devices is the OU-1. Due to its compactness (4.5 kg), it is suitable for use in everyday life, in enterprises, in motor vehicles.
Sometimes the considered variety is also called OU-1.4 fire extinguisher. This is a gross error based on quantitative differences between weight and volume. This parameter refers to the volume of the OS-2, whose weight is equal to two kilograms.
Scope of application
Due to the ability of the fire extinguisher OU-1 not to leave traces of its use, it is used:
- in museums and archives;
- at gas stations;
- at hydroelectric power stations;
- in chemical laboratories;
- in places where products are stored (including food), which can be damaged when using water, powder or foam fire extinguishers (shops, warehouses, some production shops);
- in rooms where there are many switched on electrical appliances (computer classes, household appliances stores).
What can and cannot be put out OU-1
Depending on which substance burns, fires are divided into six classes, from A to F (Russian classification). According to GOST, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers can be used for such of them:
- B - burning of solids / materials, which is accompanied by their melting, ignition of liquids (oil, alcohol);
- C - combustion of gaseous substances (methane);
- E - fires of electrical installations (including those under voltage).
An important nuance: the OU-1 fire extinguisher can be used to combat category E fires only when the equipment voltage does not exceed 1000 volts. There is an assertion that the limit is 10,000 volts, but this only applies to devices that are not energized at the time of extinction.
Despite this versatility, there is a list of what can not be extinguished using CO 2 :
- living things (people, animals);
- solids that can smolder while retaining a spark within themselves (wood, cotton);
- electrical equipment with a voltage above 1000 volts (for this purpose, refrigerant fire extinguishers are used);
- hot objects for which a temperature difference can provoke an explosion or simply their destruction;
- some metals in pure form (Al, Mg, Na, K).
Operating principle
The extinguishing properties of this device are based on its contents - carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide).
As you know, one of the conditions for the combustion process is the presence of oxygen (O 2 ). When exposed to a fire source OU-1, the released CO 2 blocks the supply of O 2 . Thus, having lost oxygen, the fire gradually extinguishes.
For this reason, carbon dioxide cannot be used to extinguish forest fires and any burning wood, peat, etc. This gas is not able to penetrate the solid matter where the spark smolders, which means it cannot completely extinguish.
Another property that helps a fire extinguisher cope with fire is its ability to quickly cool the surface to be treated.
The fact is that inside the cylinder, CO 2 is in an unusual liquefied state. When OU-1 is activated, its sharp transition to gaseous begins, accompanied by cooling to seventy degrees Celsius and partial crystallization. From the side it looks as if the appliance pours flame on snow. All this helps to cool the burning surface, accelerating the elimination of fire. Because of this property, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers cannot be used on hot surfaces.
Technical characteristics of the fire extinguisher OU-1
This fire extinguishing device has the following properties:
Regardless of the manufacturers, the technical data for each device of this type should be similar. For example, consider the characteristics of the fire extinguisher OU-1 (Limak-2660).
Although it contains parts manufactured by the Chinese company Limak (Limac), its device and technical properties are identical to the characteristics of the devices made entirely in Russia by Yarpozhinvest.
How to use
If necessary, use the OS-1 as intended, you need to follow simple rules:
- Move one meter away from the source of the fire.
- Direct the bell of the device horizontally towards the flame.
- Tear off the protective seal.
- Pull out the safety pin.
- Activate OU-1 by pressing the lever.
- The carbon dioxide produced should be directed towards the fire.
- As the flame is extinguished, the bell should move toward the outstanding sections.
- When the fire is eliminated, you need to completely block the access to it CO 2 . To do this, stop pressing the trigger lever.
- After use, the device must be inspected and refilled or fully recharged. To carry out such procedures, the OS-1 is sent to a service center.
Precautionary measures
When using a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, you should be careful not to harm yourself and others. Therefore, a number of measures must be observed:
- Do not use the device closer than one meter;
- do not direct OU-1 on living things;
- during use, do not touch the metal part of the socket with your hands;
- when using a fire extinguisher in a room, it is desirable to protect the respiratory system from excessive exposure to CO 2 ;
- do not store the cylinder in warm or poorly ventilated places;
- constant exposure to the fire extinguisher should be avoided in direct sunlight;
- neither a full nor an empty cylinder should be thrown into the fire;
- All procedures related to the repair of mechanics or refilling the contents of the apparatus should be carried out only by employees of special services.
The frequency of the health check OU-1
One of the most important components of the use of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is to monitor its performance. It is of two types:
- superficial (carried out by the owner);
- full inspection of contents and mechanics (carried out only by service workers).
The legislation provides for the following periods for such procedures:
- quarterly monitoring (only superficial);
- annual control (full inspection).
When storing OU-1 in unsuitable conditions, a full inspection should be done not once every twelve months, but every six months.