Fast Flow Extinguishers

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Commonly referred to as "Fast Flow" or "High Performance" extinguishers. Available in 13.2 lb (6.0 kg)., 20 lb (9.1 kg)., and 30 lb (14 kg). capacities and contain ABC Dry Chemical, Purple-K, or sodium bicarbonate. They are currently manufactured by Ansul in cartridge-operated form, along with Amerex, Badger and Buckeye stored pressure design.

Purple-K, also known as PKP, is a dry-chemical fire suppression agent used in some dry chemical fire extinguishers. It is the second most effective dry chemical in fighting class B fires after Monnex, and can be used against some energized electrical equipment fires. It has about 4–5 times more effectiveness against class B fires than carbon dioxide, and more than twice that of sodium bicarbonate. Some fire extinguishers are capable of operation in temperatures down to −54 °C or up to +49 °C. Dry chemical works by directly inhibiting the chemical chain reaction which forms one of the four sides of the fire tetrahedron. To a much smaller degree it also has a smothering effect by excluding oxygen from the fire. "Dry chemical" extinguishers, such as Purple-K, are different from "dry powder" extinguishers that are used to fight Class D flammable metal fires.

Sodium bicarbonate chemical compound

Sodium bicarbonate (IUPAC name: sodium hydrogen carbonate), commonly known as baking soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. It is a salt composed of a sodium cation (Na+) and a bicarbonate anion (HCO3−). Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline, but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda (sodium carbonate). The natural mineral form is nahcolite. It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs.

Ansul

Ansul is a corporation headquartered in Marinette, Wisconsin that manufactures fire suppression systems, extinguishers, and offers fire training. Ansul’s initial activities included production of cattle feed, refrigerants and selected specialty chemicals. The name Ansul comes from ANhydrous SULfur dioxide (SO2), which was sold to die works and fruit preservers, and later as a refrigerant. Production of fire suppression chemicals began in 1934. Virginia Chemicals, Inc. (now part of Celanese Corporation) acquired the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Products Division of The Ansul Company in 1967, and by 1983 Ansul had discontinued all other production at the facility in Marinette. The US government is a major customer for Ansul.

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UL rating differences for "Fast Flow"

These extinguishers have a higher dry chemical flow rate then conventional extinguishers. In other words, a fast flow extinguisher expels a higher volume of agent in less time than a standard compliance flow extinguisher. As a result, fast flow extinguishers have lower UL class A&B ratings than compliance flow extinguishers(the class B numerical rating is the approximate square feet of burning fuel a novice operator could expect to extinguish). UL Class B tests are conducted on fuel in depth fires in what is known as a burn pan. Burn pans come in various sizes (square feet) in relation to what UL rating an extinguisher will receive for successfully extinguishing it. The larger the burn pan fire, the larger the rating and the longer the extinguisher must discharge to be able to handle the larger volume of fire before running out. For a given size extinguisher the resulting effect is a lower flow rate, resulting in a higher UL rating.

UL (safety organization)

UL LLC is a global safety certification company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. It maintains offices in 46 countries. Established in 1894 as the Underwriters' Electrical Bureau, it was known throughout the 20th century as Underwriters Laboratories and participated in the safety analysis of many of that century's new technologies.

A novice is a person or creature who is new to a field or activity. It can be seen as a person who has entered a religious order and is under probation, before taking vows. Additionally, it can be an animal, especially a racehorse, that has not yet won a major prize or reached a level of performance to qualify for important events.

Generally for same size extinguishers (agent capacity)

Examples

Fast Flows and the NFPA

In the revised NFPA 10 section "5-5 "Application for Specific Hazards" requires "fast flow" extinguishers in locations containing pressurized flammable liquids and pressurized flammable gas and areas with three-dimensional class B hazards. Pressurized gas and three-dimensional fires require higher flow rates then standard extinguishers in order to be extinguished. The higher flow rate puts more agent onto the fire quicker and results in a faster "knock-down" of the fire. Higher flow rates also provide more operator protection by putting a "heavier" stream of dry chemical in between the operator and fire. This creates a temporary "heat shield" as long as the agent is being discharged because of the light color of the agent it reflects most of the radiant heat back away from the operator.

See also

Fire extinguisher an active fire protection device

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user, or otherwise requires the expertise of a fire brigade. Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which can be discharged to extinguish a fire. Fire extinguishers manufactured with non-cylindrical pressure vessels also exist but are less common.

Fire protection all measures, that prevent or avoid the occurrence of a fire or the spread of fire

Fire protection is the study and practice of mitigating the unwanted effects of potentially destructive fires. It involves the study of the behaviour, compartmentalisation, suppression and investigation of fire and its related emergencies, as well as the research and development, production, testing and application of mitigating systems. In structures, be they land-based, offshore or even ships, the owners and operators are responsible to maintain their facilities in accordance with a design-basis that is rooted in laws, including the local building code and fire code, which are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

Condensed aerosol fire suppression

Condensed aerosol fire suppression is a particle-based form of fire extinction. It is similar to gaseous fire suppression. It employs a fire extinguishing agent consisting of: very fine solid particles as well as gaseous matter. The condensed aerosol microparticles and effluent gases are generated by the exothermic reaction; the particles remain in vapor state until the process of being discharged from the device. Then, it is "condensed" and cooled within the device and discharged as solid particles.

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