A Guide to Foam Fire Extinguishers

A Guide To Foam Fire Extinguishers

When it comes to choosing a fire extinguisher, it is extremely important that you choose one to suit your individual needs; sometimes choosing the wrong fire extinguisher can be just as dangerous as having no fire extinguisher at all. 

A foam fire extinguisher is a very common choice of fire extinguisher and is often seen in commercial environments such as schools and offices, or industrial risks where there may be flammable liquids present.
 

Which Type Of Fire Can A Foam Fire Extinguisher Be Used On?

You can use a foam fire extinguisher on multiple classes of fires, including:

• Class A Fires: Involving flammable solids such as paper, wood, textiles and plastics.
• Class B Fires: Involving flammable liquids such as petrol, paint, diesel and solvents.
   

How Does A Foam Fire Extinguisher Work?

As the name suggests, foam fire extinguishers are made of a water base and a frothy foaming agent. The foam fire extinguisher is very effective when sprayed onto a fire as the foam offers a better coating, covering the fire and stopping the reaction between the flammable materials and the flames themselves.

Due to the thicker element of the foaming agent in a foam fire extinguisher, the fire is also prevented from reigniting as the foam acts as a smothering agent, reducing oxygen from getting to the fire.

Not only does the foam fire extinguisher suffocate the flames, but it also cools down the burning liquid or material via the evaporation of the water base, meaning that your foam fire extinguisher is doing two jobs at once, doubling its effectiveness.
 

How Do You Use Foam Fire Extinguishers?

All foam fire extinguishers come with instructions, however, in a moment of panic when a fire arises, it can be hard to take the time to concentrate enough on the instructions located on the foam fire extinguisher.

So, it’s important to have some knowledge of how to use your foam fire extinguisher should the need ever arise.

• Solid fire: Point the nozzle of the foam fire extinguisher directly at the base of the fire and make sweeping motions with the nozzle. This allows you to cover a larger surface area of the fire.
• Liquid fire: Point the nozzle at the rear of the liquid container and simply allow the foam to build up and cover the flames.

It’s best to completely empty the extinguisher when using a foam fire extinguisher as this will ensure that you get the best result from the cooling element of the foam.
 

Which Types Of Fires Shouldn’t Foam Extinguishers Be Used On?

It is important to ensure that you never use your foam fire extinguisher on electrical fires or flammable metal fires, as a foam fire extinguisher could make these types of fires much worse.
 

Stay Protected From Fires With Johnson Controls

Find more information about our range of fire extinguisher options and get in touch to discuss your fire safety needs with one of our expert team.