Foam

[Guest Zixel]

Why do people use foam? Powder has a batter range on all A and B classes, and also is a cheaper way? Also powder can take out fire of electric devices. Is there any purpose where foam is the best choise comparing to any other type of extinguisher? 
Thanks

[Safelincs]

Hi

Powder extinguishers are great for generators, vehicles etc, however, they are now frowned-upon for indoor use, as they can drastically reduce visibility and can cause harm through inhalation. They are also costly to clean up after (relevant if there is any risk of misuse or vandalism). For indoor use, foam, water and water mist are now the most common extinguishers, with CO2 still supplied for high voltage applications and server rooms. For typical office use with electrical equipment you should use extinguishers that have been tested dielectrically to 34,000 Volt. This applies to some foams and water mist extinguishers with de-ionised water.

Harry

[Guest Zixel]

On 08/06/2019 at 23:42, Safelincs said:

Hi

Powder extinguishers are great for generators, vehicles etc, however, they are now frowned-upon for indoor use, as they can drastically reduce visibility and can cause harm through inhalation. They are also costly to clean up after (relevant if there is any risk of misuse or vandalism). For indoor use, foam, water and water mist are now the most common extinguishers, with CO2 still supplied for high voltage applications and server rooms. For typical office use with electrical equipment you should use extinguishers that have been tested dielectrically to 34,000 Volt. This applies to some foams and water mist extinguishers with de-ionised water.

Harry

In my country we dont have water mist ones on our market. And no any water  Only powder, foam, CO², liquid chemical. Are foam extinguisher any good for class A?

[Tom Sutton]

It was common to use them on class A in this country, a few years ago but new type extinguisers have changed views generaly and now usually confined to flammable liquids.

[AnthonyB]

Foam extinguishers are suitable for Class A fires as predominantly water based and in the UK all carry a Class A rating (in some cases a very impressive one allowing an extinguisher to cover twice the floor area of a plain water jet extinguisher).

Whilst the use of plain water spray is preferred for environmental reasons where there is no Class B risk a large number of extinguisher companies still install foam spray