Fire Extinguishers are used to extinguish fires in emergency. These fire protecting gadgets are generally used to control small fires but not the huge one or uncontrolled fires. Generally, these have a portable cylindrical pressure vessel consists of extinguisher agent which need to be discharged on fire at the time of emergency. Basically, there are two types of fire extinguishers: Stored extinguishers and Cartridge extinguishers.

Stored fire extinguisher usually stored in the same chamber like an agent which has different types of effective propellants. These are most commonly and popular fire extinguishers in which 'Nitrogen' is used as dry chemical. Whereas, Cartridge fire extinguishers have gas as an expellant which needs to be punctured just before of discharge and then exposed on fire. These extinguishers are rarely used and sported with easy & quick recharge system. So, you can simply recharge it and reach at time of fire place. In Cartridge extinguisher compressed Carbon Di-oxide is used instead of Nitrogen at very low temperature. Dry chemicals (class ABC & BC), Dry powders (class D), Wetting agent and Foam used as well.

Though, extinguishers have further division of Handheld equipment and Cart mounted or Wheeled extinguishers. Handheld fire equipment are pretty portable and have acceptable weight around 0.5 to 14kgs. While Cart mounted extinguishers are weigh around 23kgs and commonly used on airport runways, construction sites, heliport, docks, marinas etc. Fire Extinguishers require maintenance after every regular period of time for proper and effective functioning. There are three types of maintenance method: Basic services, Extended services and Overhaul services.

Basic servicing includes checking of weight, accurate pressure, signs of damage & corrosion, labels checking for legibility, testing of dip tubes, hoses and all mechanical aspects under gone in keen inspections. Basic servicing is done on annual basis that ensures the perfect working of the device. Extended servicing is something like detailed checking of any damage, corrosion, pressure, extinguishing agents like water, wet chemicals, foam, power and cartridge extinguisher's recharging shelf life is tested in every five years of gap. Overhaul servicing done in every 10 years in which pressure vessel, safety legislation, hydraulic pressure, deep internal & external testing, new valve fitting, replacement of any damaged or old part are included.

Devika Rajpali is a well known author and has written articles on Electronic Appliances and Fire extinguishers, Hard Disk Drives, ABC Type Fire Extinguisher, Orthopedic Equipments, online shop and many other subjects.

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