Powder Wheeled Fire Extinguishers are something of a phenomenon in the firefighting world, specifically in the UK. That last part is due to wheeled extinguishers still being relatively uncommon, however. Combining that with our specialised ABC powder, results in an extinguisher that brings unparalleled power and versatility in one product.
What’s Unique About Wheeled Extinguishers?
This is well-trod ground for us at Fire Protection Online, so here’s an article that tackles this topic more thoroughly. But if you want to stick around here, I won’t leave you hanging. The core of it is that wheeled fire extinguishers achieve a fighting power, and capacity, that handheld options cannot. They also have a share of other advantages and disadvantages to help balance things out.
With rugged wheels and a large, ergonomic handle, wheeled extinguishers are easy to move around quickly. They need this, of course, to help users manage their considerable weight. But, even though handheld extinguishers can be, well, held, doesn’t mean they’re always light or comfortable to carry. Wheeled extinguishers are all equally easy to move around, from a 25kg unit, all the way up to 100kg.
These factors combine into an extinguisher that is easy to move over long distances in harsh conditions, and can deliver a considerable amount of firefighting power capable of tackling the larger kinds of fires found in heavy-duty work environments. On top of this, their very construction allows them to have longer hoses that are wound around the cylinder. This gives them a longer effective range, enhancing the safety of using one in the face of larger fires.
What is a Powder Fire Extinguisher Used For?
Powder Fire Extinguishers are the Swiss army knife of firefighting, unless we’re literally talking about an All-fires Extinguisher. They are capable of tackling Class A, B, C, and in the case of our wheeled offerings, even electrical fires. A is combustible solids such as wood and fabric, B is flammable liquids, like paint and petrol, while C is gases. That gives you an idea of how flexible powder is as an extinguishing agent. For those interested, we get a fair bit deeper into ABC powder extinguishers in this article.
They cannot be used on Class F (cooking fats and oils), or metal fires. Electric fires are typically a limitation of powder extinguishers as well. But these are fairly minimal drawbacks in comparison to their ability to handle the three most common types of fires. They do their job by containing chemicals that expand when exposed to heat. This creates a barrier that starves the fire of oxygen.
The only other significant concern with powder extinguishers is their indoor safety. The powder is harmful to the skin, and dangerous when inhaled. This makes is so that powder extinguishers are unsuitable for use in tightly enclosed or otherwise poorly ventilated spaces; not to mention the reduced visibility that results from their use as well, which could easily hinder an evacuation. These are all things, however, that Wheeled Powder Extinguishers do in fact avoid being hindered by.
Why Powder Wheeled Extinguishers are the Best of Both Worlds
Powder Wheeled Extinguishers are a comprehensive, impressive bit of kit, that is also not the easiest to find (you can trust us with that part). You may have deduced this yourself, but bringing the greater capacity of wheeled extinguishers to powder as an extinguishing agent was always destined to be a potent combination. Before we continue, it’s fair to mention
that these extinguishers are the ultimate in outdoor applications. Indoor use, or any location with greatly varying heights, is the key drawback of wheeled extinguishers.
If you have one of these, you’ll be using it on most fires that could occur in your workplace. Therefore, having a powder extinguisher of such large capacity provides intrinsic value. More firefighting power for the most common hazards in one item. On a slightly different note are the real-world applications. These extinguishers are a popular choice for airports and fuel depots. These are large, open workspaces where a variety of common fire hazards are present. They are likely to present flammable liquid fire risks, against which few other types of extinguisher are effective.
These applications are intuitive for the use of a powder wheeled extinguisher. This is because, as established, powder is difficult to justify using in enclosed spaces. But wheeled extinguishers are much more suited to open spaces, making powder a suitable agent for them. Our own wheeled powder extinguishers also have the exciting quality of being suitable for use on live electrical equipment. This gives them some electrical firefighting capability, though, which only serves to expand their impressive repertoire of applications.
All in all, Powder Wheeled Extinguishers represent a specific but inarguable pedigree among fire extinguishers. If you’re interested in acquiring one, then click here to browse our options, or check out this helpful video below for more information. Thank you!
