I found this at a BJ’s by some fireworks. Are there any other commercial uses for water extinguishers rather than just for use with fireworks?
I don’t know: most places probably use ABC extinguishers more since they’re rated for more kinds of fires than water extinguishers are, but I’ve seen my local Publix do that too: put the extinguisher right next to the fireworks, so that if they do ignite you won’t be able to safely retrieve the extinguisher to put them out: someone clearly didn’t think that through!
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All water(-based) extinguishers at where I live are equipped with watermist nozzle and AFFF agent rather than ordinary squirty spout and plain clear water. They’re capable of putting out fires caused by solid flammables, oils as well as electrical equipment (The maximum insulation voltage of the agent is 36kV, so using it at 120/208/240V appliances should be pretty safe).
These extinguishers are now widely used to replace ABC dry-chems at public facilities where gas fire is not a major threat, as they cause far less eye and respiratory irritation and won’t corrode human skin. You can even wet yourself with one to provide extra heat and flame resistance while escaping from a fire.
Neat idea, though according to what Google told me just now AFFF-type extinguishers are apparently not rated for Class C/electrical fires (it also tells me that AFFF-type extinguishers are in fact actually being phased out, supposedly because they contain harmful chemicals (PFOS/PFAS more than likely). Also last I checked the powder used in modern ABC-type extinguishers is mostly harmless, so they’re arguably still the best type to have in place as they’ll tackle just about any kind of fire should one start.
Hello, I’m a swimmer and I collect fire extinguishers. Water and Water Mist are usually at swimming pools.
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I’m a swimmer too! I’ve never seen water extinguishers at the pool I go to, but maybe they’re in the staff rooms.
Cool! mine is in the equipment room. My grampa has this AFFF foam extinguisher and i’m actually switching it out. According to this website, it says we can get a suitible alternative because AFFF foam causes cancer. WHich extinguisher should I trade it out for? Water mist or water? AFFF and PFAS warning