We can only be successful in fighting fire if we’re armed with the right extinguisher for the job. A professional would never enter a burning building equipped with the wrong tools or equipment, and it is important that everyone knows what type of extinguisher to use should a fire ever start.
In this article, we’ll be focusing specifically on wet chemical fire extinguishers which are among the lesser-known products in the range of extinguishers, but equally vital fire safety equipment for a lot of kitchen fires in particular.
What is a wet chemical extinguisher?
A wet chemical extinguisher is purposely designed to put out fires started by cooking oil, fat or grease. It’s an essential piece of kit that every professional kitchen should have, and a lot of domestic kitchens, too, given that cooking is the most common cause of house fires.
Uses of wet chemical extinguishers
Also known as a class F extinguisher, wet chemical extinguishers are effective at putting out fires started by cooking oils, fats or grease. However, they are also capable of dealing with class A fires Which include flammable materials like paper, textiles or wood.
In addition, some wet chemical extinguishers also have the ability to douse class B fires, which include flammable liquids like diesel petrol and paint. As a result, it’s always good to know beforehand which fires a wet chemical extinguisher can deal with.
And you can only know this information by checking the label or consulting a fire safety professional.
Where wet chemical extinguishers should not be used
First, you shouldn’t use wet chemical extinguishers to fight off fires started by petrol, diesel or paint unless expressed otherwise on the label.
Secondly, the extinguisher should never be used to tackle fires started by flammable gases such as butane or methane.
This extinguisher is not ideal for dealing with electrical fires. The best option for this type of fire is a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguisher, or a dry powder extinguisher.
Identifying wet chemical extinguishers
Every extinguisher can be identified using a label. Wet chemical extinguishers can be identified by a few pointers that include:
- A yellow label with the name “Wet chemical”
- A longer-than-normal hose
- A fixed extinguisher ID nearby labelled “Wet chemical extinguisher”
Wet chemical extinguisher sizes
Wet chemical extinguishers come in a variety of sizes. The size you choose will invariably depend on the demands of your commercial kitchen. But the most common sizes you’ll find in the market are 2, 3 and 6 litres.
How does a wet chemical extinguisher work?
Wet chemical extinguishers utilize potassium compounds to stop a fire in two ways. First, when sprayed on the flames, potassium mist cools the fire. Secondly, the resulting chemical reaction causes a soapy-like substance to form on the surface of the fire, extinguishing the flames in the process.
Advantages and disadvantages of wet chemical extinguishers
Advantage: This is the only extinguisher capable of stopping fires started by cooking oils or fat
Disadvantage: Can emit toxic fumes and should only be used in well-ventilated areas
Where are wet chemical fire extinguishers mostly used?
As stated earlier, these extinguishers are effective at putting out fires caused by cooking oil or fat. Consequently, they can mainly used in professional or commercial kitchens where there are a lot of cooking activities. This means the places you’ll find this type of extinguisher the most include:
- Fish and chip establishments
- Hotel kitchens
- Restaurants
- Burger bars and takeaways
However, it’s important to note that these extinguishers should never be used in isolation. Such premises also require other types of extinguishers to adequately deal with all types of fire emergencies.
How to use a wet chemical extinguisher
Fire safety experts are very categorical about fire extinguishers: use the equipment wrongly and you won’t be able to contain a fire. The requirements for using wet chemical extinguishers are no different. You have to be extremely careful when using this extinguisher to prevent splashing burning oil or fat onto the surrounding location.
The best practice for using a wet chemical extinguisher is:
- Remove the safety pin to break the seal
- Step back so that you are not too close to the fire (the nozzle of the fire extinguisher should be positioned at least 1 meter from the fire)
- If it’s safe, attempt to turn off the source of the fire
- Attack the flames from the top while holding the lance at arm’s length
- Spray the mist slowly in a circular movement. This will enable the form to settle well on the fire’s surface
- Use all the content in your extinguisher to completely douse the fire
If you follow the six steps above there’s no reason why you cannot contain fire in any commercial kitchen. However, your safety comes first; so you should ensure there’s a clear exit path for you to escape in case the fire gets out of hand. Remember, calling for emergency help may be the best course of action to take in some cases.
Why you should invest in a wet chemical extinguisher
Investing in a wet chemical extinguisher is not negotiable if you run a commercial kitchen. This is the most effective extinguisher for putting out fires started by cooking oil, fat or grease.
But as mentioned earlier, you also need to have other extinguishers as you never know what type of fire you could encounter next. Perhaps, it’s a good idea to learn about all the classes of fire as well as the different types of extinguishers out there.
In addition, taking time to understand the fire safety requirements of your commercial is crucial. For example, if you manage a large kitchen, you may have to acquire a high-capacity wet extinguisher to effectively deal with the threat of fire.
In the end, talking to a fire safety expert is highly advised when planning to equip your facility with different types of extinguishers.
In Summary
A wet chemical extinguisher is essential for anyone running a commercial kitchen. It’s ideal for those in charge of professional kitchen environments in restaurants, hotels, burger bars, etc.
Every establishment should have one, and the good thing it’s easy to order them online.
But as most fire safety experts will tell you: It’s one thing to own an extinguisher and it’s another to use it correctly.
The Firechief® range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and the Kitchen Stove Guard. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
Disclaimer
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.