Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 22:08:31 -0800
Reply-To: Andy <easoars@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andy <easoars@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Subject: PKP vs Halon vs Co2
To my Vanagon friends,
In my firefighting years I have undergone different firefighting
training...I prefer PKP especially for class bravo fires which means
(petroleum products) that will be the likely fire with air cooled engines.
Halon is no longer produce... and affects the ozone and can be kept until
exspended...great for any fire but works effectively in closed
compartments...it removes the oxygen from the space... if that space is not
contained (dont feed more oxygen) it can reflash depending on the
temperature of the substance or flammable liquids...in other words if the
oxygen is removed at that moment and ventilation can not be secured...there
is a greater chance that it will reflash depending on its flash point... Now
CO2 works the same way but also cools the burning substance and adds just
what it says it is carbon dioxide. However in Bravo fires AFFF and PKP are
your primary firefighting agents. IT MAY BE MESSY but it will clean up.
Under control burns I have used CO2 after CO2 fire extinguishers on burning
pool of fuel and oil and it would extinguish but once the pool reaches its
flash point... it would immediately reflash. In the same scenario we used
one PKP and put out the fire and also smother the fire...keep explosive
vapor from surfacing preventing the reflash. We then tryed to restart the
fire and failed to do so. When there is a fire you want the extinguishing
agent to work fast and not reflash. Its up to you what suites you best I can
only stress how important it is to have something vs nothing.
Recommended tips on fire fighting
Class Alpha Fire: Burning material which leaves an ash...paper, people,
wood, etc (extinguishing agent H2O, AB, ABC, PKP, CO2, Halon)
Class Bravo Fire: Flammable liguid, gasoline, diesel, oil, hydraulic fliud,
petro products (extinguishing agent AFFF, PKP, CO2, Halon, AB, ABC)
Class Charlie: electronics, wiring, electrical (note: secure the power
source then put out the fire) ABC, CO2, Halon, PKP will put it out but long
term problems may occur due to corrosion of electronic parts)
Class Delta: Magnesium and any other material that is self
pontaneous( extinguishing agent PKP or just clear the area until it burns
itself out)
One last tip know the fire fighting extinguisher you prefer and read the
label on HOW TO USE IT very important!! How far you should stand from the
fire and where you should aim.
I hope this may hope
Andy
WILD WILD WESTY 82
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