What is the formula for a fire extinguisher?

Author: Josue Grant  |  Last update: Sunday, June 29, 2025

The formula of this item is 2NaHCO3 + H2SO4-> Na2SO4 + 2H2O + 2CO2. This may seem very technical, but the formula can be just translated into simple. A sodium hydrogen carbonate added with Sulphuric acid will create Sodium sulphate, hydrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide.

What is the fire extinguisher chemical formula?

A fire extinguisher contains chemicals such as Sulfuric acid H 2 SO 4 and Sodium bicarbonate .

What is the mixture of a fire extinguisher?

Known as Sodium bicarbonate, it contains sodium, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. Soda acid fire extinguishers include sodium bicarbonate and sulphuric acid. The carbon dioxide released from such fire extinguishers reduces the supply of oxygen in the air. It displaces oxygen and the fire gets extinguished.

How to calculate fire extinguisher?

The fire rating is found by multiplying the floor area in metres squared (m²) by 0.065. Therefore for a floor area of 200m² the fire rating is 200 x 0.065 = 13A. A 9 litre water extinguisher has a fire rating of 13A, therefore one 9 litre water extinguisher will be required for every 200m² of floor area.

What is the chemistry of a fire extinguisher?

The two types of dry chemical extinguishers include one that contains ordinary sodium potassium bicarbonate, urea potassium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride base agents. The second, multipurpose type contains an ammonium phosphate base.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

What is the formula for fire?

The general fire chemical formula is: fuel + oxidant → oxidized fuel elements + heat + light, in which oxidized means having lost electrons in a reaction. The term "oxidized" is named after oxygen, as oxygen is the most common oxidant.

What is the equation for the fire extinguisher reaction?

2 NaHCO 3 ( aq ) + H 2 SO 4 ( aq ) → Na 2 SO 4 ( aq ) + 2 H 2 O ( l ) + 2 CO 2 ( g )

What is the formula for the ABC fire extinguisher?

ABC dry chemical is usually a mix of monoammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate, the former being the active component. The mix between the two agents is usually 40–60%, 60–40%, or 90–10% depending on local standards worldwide. The USGS uses a similar mixture, called Phos Chek G75F.

What is the golden rule of fire extinguishers?

The golden rule is that only one extinguisher is used. If that fails to extinguish the fire, STOP and leave.

What is the 75 rule for fire extinguishers?

The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class A fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 m) or less.

What is the chemical powder in a fire extinguisher?

At USC, "ABC" fire extinguishers are filled with a fine yellow powder. The greatest portion of this powder is composed of monoammonium phosphate. Nitrogen is used to pressurize the extinguishers.

Does baking soda stop a fire?

Instead, you can reach for two pantry staples to help douse a small grease fire safely: Baking soda is effective because it releases carbon dioxide when heated, which can smother the fire. Salt forms a barrier between the fire and the air. This prevents the fire from getting the oxygen it needs.

What is the pass formula fire extinguisher?

It's easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if you can remember the acronym PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep.

Is it illegal to use a fire extinguisher when there is no fire?

Did you think there was a fire and there wasn't? In both of these cases there would be no legal repercussions, unless you damaged something, which is possible using a dry chemical extinguisher around electrical equipment. If it was malicious however there could be charges.

What does ABC stand for in fire extinguishers?

Fire Extinguisher Classes

The letter on a fire extinguisher indicates its classification: Class A puts out ordinary combustible fires (wood, paper, plastic, etc.) Class B puts out flammable liquid fires (oil, gas, petroleum, etc.) Class C puts out electrical fires.

What does B and C mean on a fire extinguisher?

Understanding fire extinguisher types and classes

Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, solvents, lacquers, alcohols, oils and other similar substances. Class C extinguishers are suitable for use only on electrically energized equipment fires.

What is the best response to a fire?

Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number. Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right away. If you live in a building with elevators, use the stairs. Leave all your things where they are and save yourself.

What percentage of a fire extinguisher needs to be coloured?

Fire extinguishers meeting BS EN3 are manufactured with a red body and have a band of a second colour covering between 5-10% of the surface relating to the extinguisher's contents. Each different type of extinguisher agent has a corresponding colour making identification easier for the user.

What is the chemical formula for a fire extinguisher?

Soda-acid fire extinguishers consist of sodium bicarbonate and sulphuric acid. The chemical reaction that takes place in the soda-acid fire extinguisher is as follows: 2NaHCO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2H2O + 2CO.

What does k mean on a fire extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers that are rated for Class K fires (those involving animal fats or cooking oils) are the only type of extinguisher that can be used on fires involving animal fats or cooking oils. This is because many other types of extinguishers will either be ineffective or could even make this type of fire worse.

Do fire extinguishers expire?

Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years. Rechargeable fire extinguishers should be taken to an experienced fire equipment service company and inspected/recharged every 6 years, especially if used in a commercial application or in an uncontrolled temperature setting.

What is the formula for a dry fire extinguisher?

A dry chemical extinguisher sprays a very fine powder of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3, baking soda), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3, nearly identical to baking soda), or monoammonium phosphate ((NH4)H2PO4). These solids coat the fuel and smother the fire.

What is the fire movement formula?

The rule of 25 says you need to save 25 times your annual expenses to retire. To get this number, first multiply your monthly expenses by 12 to figure out your annual expenses. You then multiply that annual expense by 25 to get your FIRE number or the amount you'll need to retire.

What acid is used in fire extinguishers?

Sulphuric acid is non flammable so soda acid is most common fire extinguisher. Carbon dioxide is liberated by the action of sulphuric acid on baking soda or sodium bicarbonate. This increases the percentage of carbon dioxide in air. Due to this the supply of air is cut off and fire is extinguished.

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