Date:         Sat, 16 Nov 96 17:49:45 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Howser <mchowser@3rivers.net>
Subject:      Clean Extinguishers--Informational Repost

-- [ From: Mark Howser * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --


Subject: RE: Clean Fire Extinguishers

>Unfortunately, you won't find a fire extinguisher that effectively stops
the fire and remains clean at the same time.  

>Types of Extinguishers:
>
>Class A:  Ordinary Combustibles (wood, paper, rubber, plastic)
>Class B:  Flammable Liquids (liquids, greases, gases)
>Class C:  Electrical Equipment  (live electrical equipment)
>Class D:  Combustible Metals (magnesium, titanium, and other "iums")
>
>Class A exting. are rated from 1A to 40A depending on their size.  For a 1A
rating 1 1/4 gallons of water are required.  A 2A rating requires 2 1/2
gallons of water. (see the trend?)

>A dry chemical extiguisher with a rating of 10A is equivalent to five 
>1/2 gallon water extinguishers.
>
>Class B extinguishers are rated from 1B to 640B.  A complicated UL rating
system best described by  "...the 60B extiguisher will 
>effectively extinguish a sixty square foot fire when used by a non 
>expert...."
>
>Class C refers to whether the extiguishing agent conducts electricity. 
>You wouldn't want to spray a flaming engine with a class A fire 
>extinguisher unless you wanted to chance shock or electrocution.
>
>Class D--you aren't going to effectively stop the spread of burning 
>metals with any portable extinguisher.  Call the FD, EPA and any other
toxic spill agency that comes to mind.
>
>A fire extinguisher is rated as follows.
>
>4A 20B:C
>
>This extinguisher should extinguish a Class A fire that is four times 
>larger than a class 1A fire, extinguish approx. 20 sq/ft of class B fire
and is also safe to use on energized equipment.
>
>Good luck,
>
>Mark
>80 Westy
>East Glacier Volunteer Fire Department

--
 Mark Howser                  Business (406) 226-5572
 Hole in the Wall, Ltd.       Home     (406) 226-4412
 PO Box 318                   Email    mchowser@3rivers.net
 East Glacier, MT 59434
 Preferred Lodging and Dining near Glacier National Park

    "Take every day the trail way...one step at a time"