| Among the different types of extinguishers, the | | | | is a must. All establishments provided if they are |
| CO2 fire extinguisher is perhaps the most | | | | in compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire |
| versatile and therefore the most commonly used | | | | Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), have the legal |
| type - able to deliver in a good number of fire | | | | obligation to provide their establishments with fire |
| emergency situations, readily available in fire | | | | safety measures. This means fire alarms, fire |
| safety supply distributors and relatively affordable | | | | blankets, fireproofing and the like. |
| for a one time payment for one's safety. While a | | | | Remember before using the CO2 fire extinguisher |
| CO2 extinguisher can be used for the majority of | | | | that while it works in a good number of situations, |
| most domestic and commercial fires, make sure | | | | there are a few cases to be noted. For one, it |
| that you obtain the right kind that is suitable for | | | | does well in putting out flammable liquids such as a |
| your home or establishment. | | | | grasscutter leak. It also works well with |
| Different types of extinguishers carry different | | | | electronics - fans, appliances and other objects |
| chemical compositions and are therefore used in | | | | that set on fire due to electricity. While it will put |
| different situations & applications. So why | | | | out the fires on desktop computers and laptops, |
| choose a CO2 fire extinguisher over other types? | | | | this is not advisable unless the flame is truly |
| Well a very good reason is in modern man's | | | | threatening, as it causes permanent damage. |
| growing reliance on technology and therefore | | | | However, it works only moderately well on paper |
| electronics. This type of extinguisher unlike a | | | | and carton and very little on flames caused by |
| water based or foam based extinguisher, can | | | | hot cooking oil or fat in commercial kitchens. |
| effectively put out a flaming electric generator. At | | | | Once you have decided that a CO2 extinguisher is |
| the same time, CO2 extinguishers can also put | | | | good for putting out a certain fire, then simply pull |
| out minor flaming pieces of cloth, carpet or curtain | | | | out the plastig tag, position the discharge horn at |
| which commonly get caught in fires at home and | | | | a 90 degrees angle towards the fire. Since a |
| petroleum products such as crawling flame from | | | | canister is about 2-5 kilograms, make sure you |
| car gas leaks. | | | | support it well with your body. Spray the foam |
| If the time ever comes that a person will have to | | | | out using the nozzle - being careful not to touch |
| operate a CO2 extinguisher, or any other | | | | the foam spewing out at any given time. Use this |
| firefighting tool for that matter, make sure he | | | | ONLY for small fires. For bigger ones, it would be |
| she informs all parties within the vicinity first. This | | | | best to evacuate an area and to call the local fire |
| way, people can have a good idea and grasp of | | | | department and / or activate the fire alarm. |
| what to do. Of course, calling the fire department | | | | |