Fire protection Munich

Fires are divided into so-called fire classes depending on the type of burning substance. The fire class determines which extinguishing agent is suitable and approved. The use of a fake extinguishing agent can have devastating consequences.

Fire class A: Fires of solid, ember-forming substances (e.g. wood, paper, textiles, coal).

Fire class B: fires of liquid or liquefied substances (e.g. gasoline, paints, wax, resin).

Fire class C: fires of gases (e.g. methane, propane, hydrogen).

Fire class D: Fires of metals (e.g. aluminum, magnesium, sodium).

Fire class F: Fires of cooking oils and fats in fryers and fat baking appliances.

The choice of extinguisher always depends on the flammable substances present in the environment.

Here is an overview of the most common extinguishing medium and their areas of application: TABLE

How does it work? Water cools the burning substance below its ignition temperature. When do I use it? Ideal for class A fires such as burning wastebaskets, wooden piles or upholstered furniture. When in no case?

Never with grease burns (fire class F)! The water evaporates abruptly and drags the burning fat with it, which leads to a fat explosion.

Not in the case of fires of electrical systems, unless a safety distance is maintained (see fire extinguisher imprint), as water conducts electricity.

Not in the case of metal fires (fire class D), as severe chemical reactions may occur.

How does it work? Foam lays as a dense carpet over the fire, separates it from the oxygen (stick effect) and cools at the same time. When do I use it? Very suitable for fires of solid substances (class A) and especially for liquid substances (class B) such as spilled gasoline or burning paints. Foam extinguishers cause significantly less dirt than powder extinguishers and are therefore ideal for offices, practices and living areas.

How does it work? The powder interrupts the chemical chain reaction of combustion (anticatalytic effect). What species are there?

ABC powder (ember fire powder): The most universal extinguisher for the most common fire classes. It is the standard in many cars and boiler rooms.

BC powder (flam burning powder): Mainly for fires of liquids and gases.

D-Powder (metal fire powder): A special extinguishing agent only for metal fires.

What is the biggest disadvantage? The extinguishing effect is excellent, but the fine powder penetrates into every crack and causes massive dirt. In connection with humidity, it can have a corrosive effect on electronics, which is why the use near sensitive devices (e.g. server rooms) should be avoided.

 CO2 is a non-flammable gas that is heavier than air. It displaces the oxygen required for combustion (stick effect). Ideal for fires in electrical systems and server rooms (fire class B), as it extinguishes absolutely residue-free. What are the dangers?

Danger of suffocation! In unventilated or small rooms, the CO2 concentration can quickly increase in a life-threatening way. Such rooms must be left immediately after being extinguished and well ventilated.

The gas comes out of the nozzle at about -78° C. In case of skin contact, severe cold burns may occur.

Grease fire extinguisher (fire class F): Indispensable in commercial kitchens and also for the home highly recommended. The extinguishing agent reacts with the hot grease and forms a solid barrier layer (saponification), which suffocates the fire and prevents reignitions.

Metal fire extinguishers (fire class D): Only for use in industrial plants that work with flammable metals. The special D-powder settles on the metal and suffocates the flame without reacting chemically.