Fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment
This section describes the different types of fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment available at KTH, as well as their areas of use and characteristics. The equipment is designed to quickly and effectively handle various types of fires, from fires involving solid materials to liquids and gases. It is important to be familiar with the available equipment and understand in which situations it should be used to ensure proper and safe fire management.
Definitions and Concepts
Class A: Fire extinguisher for solid materials such as wood, paper, textiles, and plastic.
Class B: Fire extinguisher for liquids or solid substances that can become liquid, such as diesel, gasoline, and oil.
Class C: Fire extinguisher for gas fires.
Firefighting Equipment at KTH
Foam Fire Extinguisher (Class AB)
Properties: Foam extinguishers primarily consist of water, mixed with additives that alter the surface tension and properties of the water.
Throwing Distance: 4-5 meters.
Usage: Approved for extinguishing electrical equipment up to 1000V.
Limitations: Not suitable for fires involving water-soluble liquids like alcohol and acetone. In such cases, alcohol-resistant foam is required.
Powder Fire Extinguisher (Class ABC)
Properties: Powder extinguishers contain finely divided powder that is effective for extinguishing various types of fires.
Throwing Distance: 5-7 meters.
Advantages: The powder does not conduct electricity, making it safe to use on electrical equipment.
Limitations: The powder creates a mess and can infiltrate all spaces, which makes it unsuitable for areas with sensitive electronic equipment. Professional cleaning is required after use.
CO2 Fire Extinguisher (Class B)
Properties: CO2 extinguishers contain carbon dioxide in liquid form, which suffocates the fire by displacing oxygen.
Throwing Distance: 1-3 meters.
Advantages: CO2 leaves no residue and is non-conductive, making it suitable for use on electronics and in laboratory environments.
Limitations: The CO2 can become extremely cold (-79°C), posing a risk of frostbite upon skin contact. There is also a risk that the fire could flare up again if the CO2 dissipates before the extinguished object has cooled down.
Fire Blanket
Properties: A fire blanket is made of fiberglass fabric with a protective layer that minimizes the passage of flammable gases.
Usage: The fire blanket is placed over or wrapped around the burning object, and then stroked and pressed to suffocate the fire.
Recommended Size: At least 120 x 180 cm.
Limitations: The fire blanket is used up after application and must be replaced.
Indoor Fire Hose
Properties: A rolled-up fire hose typically stored in a designated cabinet. The hose is connected to a water outlet.
Advantages: There is no limit to the water supply, which is an advantage for larger fires.
Limitations: Using the fire hose can result in extensive water damage.
Service and Maintenance
Fire extinguishers at KTH undergo annual service, conducted by an agreed-upon supplier and coordinated by the safety function, in accordance with standard SS-3656 and the manufacturer's instructions. During the service, a control label is affixed to indicate the year and month of the last service. The extinguishers also undergo a workshop inspection, where a thorough check of the extinguisher's status, seals, and wear parts is conducted, with worn or broken parts replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions. Self-inspection is carried out by the responsible unit as part of the systematic fire protection work to ensure the extinguishers are in the correct location, visible, intact, and have a valid service label. In case of issues or the need for action, KTH's safety function should be contacted.