what happens when you use a fire extinguisher on a fire?

Answer 1

Wow alot of answers here. Most are partially true.

Yes, some fire extinguishers remove O2 from the fire triangle (or more accurately the fire tetrahedron.) But many work differently. It depends on the type of fire and fire extinguisher used.

Basically, a fire consists of three basic things chemically reacting to produce fire. Fuel, Heat, and Oxygen. The chemical reaction itself is part of the "equation".

When you use a fire extinguisher, you are effectively separating one or more of those four components to extinguish the fire.

Examples:

Water & Foams - Remove the Heat

Foams, Class K Units, Class D Units, and Dry Chemical Agents - "Blanket" the fire separating the fuel fromt the Oxygen.

CO2 - Temporarily displaces the Oxygen.

Halogenated Agents - Attack the chemical process directly.

For the record, Purple K is NOT listed for Class A or D fires!

Want to check out a pretty cool site that explains all?

http://www.fireextinguisher.com

Answer 2

One of several things that all achieve the same effect: the fire no longer has sufficient oxygen to continue burning.

Some extinguishers simply spray water on the fire. This is less common these days as a significant number of indoor fires are chemical or electrical in nature, and spraying water on these is generally a bad idea and can in some cases make things significantly worse.

The other main type uses a chemical of some kind, frequently based on either carbon dioxide or nitrogen, neither of which burn very well. These chemicals simply take the place of the oxygen in the air, effectively smothering the fire the same way a wet blanket can for smaller fires.

Though fire extguishers generally contain non-toxic chemicals, inertness being a primary goal for any fire-suppressant, that doesn't mean they're good for you, so don't go shooting anyone with them.

Answer 3

There are several types but the popular extinguisher material is pure carbon dioxide. In a carbon dioxide extinguisher, the carbon dioxide is kept in pressurized liquid form in the cylinder. When the container is opened, the carbon dioxide expands to form a gas in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide gas is heavier than oxygen, so it displaces the oxygen surrounding the burning fuel. This sort of fire extinguisher is common in restaurants because it won't contaminate the cooking equipment or food.

Answer 4

We have a triangle of fire "heat,fuel,oxygen"
lack of each side result in extinguishe
the extinguisher usually made from carbon Dioxide that choke fire by decreasing oxygen

Answer 5

It depends on the source of the fire and the type of fire extinguisher.

There are 4 classes of fire
A - Standard combustable like paper and wood
B - Liquids like oil and gas
C - Electrical
D - Metals (Magnesium, etc.) (Generally the only way to put out is to smother)

Fire extinguishers are classified by what type of fire they can be used on. The main types are

Water - used on type A
CO2, halon, (displacing gasses) - used on types A and C, can be used on type B to some effect
AFFF (or similar agent) - used on type B, can also be used on type A
PKP (or similar chemical agent) - used on types A, B, and C (D?)

Generally there are three things that make a fire burn...fuel, heat, oxygen. Take away one of them and the fire will go out (at least until it is reintroduced).

Water takes out heat.
CO2, AFFF, etc. are used to deprive fire of oxygen
PKP - can't really explain the chemical reaction that takes place, but it works.

Answer 6

It depends on the type of fire and the type of extinguisher.

Answer 7

The concept here is too deprive the fire from oxygen which fuels the fire. One the chemical is denser then air so it will push the air away from the fire and will smuther the flame underneath

Answer 8

the fire goes out

Answer 9

the fire is extinguished.

Answer 10

It puts the fire out...