SPITA FIREFIGHTER COMPARED TO OTHER EXTINGUISHERS
What is a fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher is a device for extinguishing the flames of a small fire. A normal fire extinguisher consists of a cylinder with a limited amount of extinguishing agent. The cylinders are under pressure or are equipped with a pressure cartridge that must first be activated (struck down) via a red impact button on top of the extinguisher. The extinguishing agent can be sprayed onto the fire through an opening.
WARNING: Before using a fire extinguisher you must check if the extinguisher is suitable for the type of fire you need it for (class A, B, C, E or F).
The SPITA FireFighter consists of a cylinder containing potassium, which is NOT pressurized. After activation, the released potassium mist is directed towards the fire of any type (class A, B, C, E & F).
Comparison table
TYPE
EXTINGUISHER | POWDER | FOAM | CO² | FAT / OIL | WATER | SPITA FireFighter | Extinguishing
agent | ammonium
sodium | PFAS
sodium | Carbon dioxide | Water with
potassium AFFF | H2O | Potassium | | Residue | a lot | limited | non | limited | evaporates | non | | Weight | 1kg - 20kg | 1kg - 20kg | 3kg - 15kg | 3 - 10kg | depending on size of bucket | 300 or 500gr | Extinguishing
time | 7 - 20 sec. | 5 - 15 sec | 10 sec | 30 - 50 sec | one bucket approx. 5 sec | 1 minute
or
2 minutes | | Maintenance | annual | annual | annual | annual | non | NON | | Pressurized | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | NO | | Class | A / B / C | A / B | B / C / E | A / F | A | A / B / C E / F | | Price | € | € | €€€ | €€€€ | € | €€ |
CE-marking on SPITA FireFighter In Europe, every extinguisher must comply with the European PED directive (2014/68/EU) and carry the CE logo. The PED Directive prescribes the requirements that pressure-containing equipment must meet.
The SPITA FireFighter is NOT PRESSURIZED. The CE logo guarantees that the device meets all requirements set by European regulations for a properly functioning fire extinguisher.
The production location of the SPITA FireFighter is annually audited by KIWA & BSI Kitemark.
The extinguishing agent of the SPITA FireFighter is certified by TNO, KIWA, UL, NFPA, ATEX and others.
Every SPITA FireFighter displays the pictograms of the applicable fire classes A, B, C, E & F, for which the SPITA FireFighter is suitable. In addition, the extinguishing agent is harmless to humans, animals & the environment, which is why the EPA environmental label is also displayed on the SPITA FireFighter.
Fire classes A fire extinguisher is suitable for one or more fire classes. A regular fire extinguisher usually consists of a pressure cylinder, extinguishing agent and propellant. If there were no propellant in the pressure cylinderl, the extinguishing agent would not be able to come out of the extinguisher. Some extinguishers therefore have a pressure indicator (manometer) on top of the extinguisher. This shows whether the pressure of the propellant is still sufficient to activate the extinguisher.
The SPITA FireFighter extinguishes by creating a pure potassium mist that is released after activation and is suitable for all fire classes.
Types of extinguishing agentsAn extinguishing agent can be liquid, but also in powder or gaseous form. Commonly used extinguishing agents are:
Water (the oldest extinguishing agent of mankind) This is the cheapest agent having a great cooling effect with (when using a hose reel) an unlimited supply.
The disadvantage is that it is sensitive to frost and water can be dangerous when used on burning petrol or oil. Electrical equipment can also pose a hazard if water is used as an extinguishing agent. Powder (commonly known as powder extinguishers)The powder of an ABC extinguisher consists of a mixture of ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulphate. The powder of a BC extinguisher consists of a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate, the powder of a D extinguisher consists of sodium chloride. A powder extinguisher has a high extinguishing capacity, is suitable for many types of fires, is not electrically conductive and is not sensitive to frost.
The extinguishing power is approximately six times that of CO², for example. An important disadvantage of a powder extinguisher is the extensive collateral damage to electronic equipment and the risk of fire re-ignition if not extinguished properly. If the fire has been extinguished with a powder extinguisher, the remaining powder must be removed with an industrial vacuum cleaner, but do not use water. The powder can also cause serious health risks.
Foam (commonly known as foam extinguishers)
Foam extinguishers are filled with water and a foam-forming agent. The extinguishing power of foam is based on covering (removing oxygen) and to a small extent on cooling. The most commonly used foam extinguishers are the so-called spray foam extinguishers that interrupt every drop of outflowing liquid with air by means of an adjustment in the nozzle. This creates a mist that is not electrically conductive. In addition, mixing air results in a longer extinguishing time.
CO² (carbon dioxide) These extinguishers are easy to recognize as they have a black expansion tube or snow tube at the end of the hose. There is a handle between the expansion tube and the hose, which you must hold while using the extinguisher. The handle is necessary because the end of the unprotected sleeve becomes very cold (up to approximately -80 °C) and this extreme cold can cause third-degree burns. It is therefore important that gloves are worn when using such an extinguisher. These extinguishers are very suitable for electrical fires and do not cause collateral damage.
Halon
Since January 1, 2004, the use and possession of halon fire extinguishers and fire protection systems has been prohibited in the European Community, albeit with some exceptions for critical applications (especially in civil aviation and the military). The ban on halon is related to the environmental damage that halon causes to the Earth's ozone layer.
However, until the ban, it was the most versatile extinguishing agent and the only one suitable for all fire classes.
Due to all its features, the SPITA FireFighter can therefore be seen as the successor to the Halon extinguishers and its extinguishing potassium agent is 4x more effective as Halon.
|