Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher OU 2: characteristics

To ensure the safety of the population, the use of fire extinguishers is provided. As you know, they are different. Their use depends on the nature of the fire. In this article, you can familiarize yourself with the OU-2 carbon dioxide fire extinguisher.

Appointment

Everyone knows that fire extinguishers are used to combat fires. Therefore, their name already shows why they are being exploited. It should only be noted that their use is aimed at eliminating fires caused by the ignition of materials, the burning of which is impossible without air. That is, we can conclude that the OU-2 carbon dioxide fire extinguisher delivers carbon dioxide to the flame, thereby ceasing its existence.

Places of application

Having considered the purpose of these devices for eliminating fires, we give several examples of situations in which carbon dioxide fire extinguishers OU-1, OU-2 are used:

• fires at facilities where there is a large amount of paper and other similar materials (for example, a library, art gallery, archive);
• fires caused by vehicle fires (these also include electrified vehicles: trams, trolleybuses, electric locomotives);
• ignition of liquid substances that do not dissolve in water;
• fires in electrical installations whose voltage is in the range up to 10 thousand volts.

Basic characteristics

Each specific model of a fire extinguisher has its own characteristics. They are spelled out in government documents. However, despite the variety of models, there are some criteria that are inherent in all carbon dioxide fire extinguishers. Among them:

1. The duration of the release of a fire extinguisher (OTC) (portable carbon dioxide fire extinguisher OU-2 - 6-10 seconds, mobile - 15-20 seconds).
2. OTS jet length (portable - 2-3 meters, mobile - more than 4 meters).
3. Operating temperature (from -40 ˚ to +50 ˚).
4. Fire extinguisher pressure (15 MPa).

The characteristics of the OU-2 carbon dioxide fire extinguisher determine some of the features of their application. Namely:

• the use of fire extinguishers is designed to extinguish class B fires (combustible liquids), C (combustible gases), E (electrical equipment);
• maintaining a safe distance during extinguishing of electrical equipment (at least 1 meter from the source of ignition);
• it is dangerous to use this type of fire extinguisher when eliminating class A fires (solid combustible substances), D (substances that burn without oxygen);
• the difference is also the respect for the extinguished object, since carbon dioxide does not harm the burning material and leaves no traces on it (this feature explains the prevalence of the use of this model of fire extinguishers).

Fire extinguisher structure

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers OU-2, OU-3 are built on the same principle as all other models of this type. They are a metal cylinder, in the neck of which a trigger device with a siphon tube is screwed on a tapered thread. The siphon tube should not reach the edge of the cylinder by 5-7 mm.

A polyethylene nozzle is attached to the starter housing. The starter has a safety diaphragm that prevents pressure build-up in the housing beyond the working one. A fire extinguisher is attached to the wall with a bracket. When mounted in a vehicle, a specially made transport bracket is used. The principle of action is the release of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide snow to the source of ignition.

Operating procedure

OU-2 manual carbon dioxide fire extinguisher operates as follows:

1. When extinguishing a fire, you must remove the seal and tear off the check.
2. Direct the nozzle (a bendable hose with a spray cone-shaped nozzle) towards the flame at an angle of 45 °.
3. Trigger the trigger.
4. OTS serve on the edge of the fire.
5. Extinguish at a distance of one meter.
6. After extinguishing, release the trigger.
7. In the event of non-extinguished flames, use a fire extinguisher again in the same way (however, it is worth remembering that the continuous operation of this type of fire extinguisher is about 9 seconds).
8. It is not recommended to hold the fire extinguisher horizontally during operation, as this interferes with the full use of its charge.
9. After use, the unit must be recharged at service points.

Extinguishing Techniques

1. Extinguish a fire from the windward side.
2. On a flat surface, you need to start extinguishing a fire from the front.
3. The cylinder must not be in a horizontal position during operation.
4. It is recommended to extinguish liquid substances from top to bottom, but the burning wall opposite is from the bottom up.
5. If there are several fire extinguishers, it is advisable to use them simultaneously.
6. Make sure that ignition does not resume.
7. After operation, fire extinguishers must be taken to filling.

Maintenance

Like any equipment that ensures the safety of human life, OU-2 carbon dioxide fire extinguishers must be subjected to maintenance by specialized stations. It includes the following:

• annual health check of the unit;
• once every five years it is recharged (if it was used or there was a drop in pressure, then recharging is carried out unscheduled);
• recharge of fire extinguishers located in vehicles should be carried out more often, namely once every two years;
• those fire extinguishers that are located in vehicles outside the cabin or cabin, and therefore are exposed to adverse climatic and physical factors, must be recharged at least once a year.

Accommodation

If we are talking about cars, then fire fighting equipment should be in the cab next to the driver. He must have free access to a fire extinguisher. It is not allowed to store a fire extinguisher in hard-to-reach places such as the boot, body, etc.

Indoor fire extinguishers are located primarily in those places where a fire is most likely to occur. It is also advisable to hang them along the escape route and near the exits. It is important to ensure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight, heat fluxes, it is not exposed to mechanical stress and other adverse environmental factors. It is imperative to ensure visibility and easy access if necessary.

Fire extinguishers are usually located on special brackets. Fasten them to the wall. The main thing here is that the top of the fire extinguisher is at least one and a half meters above the floor. Thanks to this arrangement, people of short stature will be able to use it during a fire. At the same time, it will not be available to children.

Also allowed in fire cabinets or on special stands.