How to Choose the Best Fire Extinguisher For a Mining Site

Fire outbreaks in mining sites are hazardous and come with life-threatening consequences. Hence, setting up a fire protection system is crucial and must be adequately done. 

To set up a fire protection system, you must contact professional fire extinguisher installation companies. A professional fire installation company will efficiently design, install, maintain, and provide technical support for your protection system.

Choose the Right Type of Fire Extinguisher

There are several types of fire extinguishers. Three types are the most common: Type A, B, and C. Type A, B, and C fire extinguishers are typical for domestic fire accidents and are usually smaller than those for industrial purposes. Avoid type A, B, and C fire extinguishers if you need a fire extinguisher for your mining site. The different types of fire extinguishers used in mining sites are:

Mining water fire extinguisher

Water fire extinguishers are the most common type suitable for minor fire accidents. They are best suited for fire outbreaks on paper, materials, and textiles. Want to have a fire extinguisher for little fires on the site? A water-based fire extinguisher will do.

Mining foam fire extinguisher 

Foam fire extinguishers, also known as AFF (Aqueous Film-forming Foam), are suitable for type A and B fires. However, foam fire extinguishers don’t work well on type F and C types of fire. Foam fire extinguishers work well, forming a film over the source of fire, shutting out oxygen from the source of the fire. We must mention that foam fire extinguishers are well suited for large areas and are good choices for mining sites. 

Mining powder fire extinguisher 

Powder fire extinguishers are commonly known as multi-purpose fire extinguishers. They are suitable for type A, B, and C fire types. Powder fire extinguishers work well on live electrical equipment. However, the powder fire extinguishers can tamper with how your electronics work if left without cleaning.

Mining Novec fire extinguisher 

Novec fire extinguishers use electrically non-conductive chemical materials to contain a fire accident. Novec fire extinguishers don’t cause damage to sensitive equipment, and they leave no residue after use. 

Mining Halogen fire extinguisher 

Halogen fire extinguishers are the old types of fire extinguishers and contain reversible soda acid. Also, they can have foam and Halong 1211, which is an effective ozone-depleting substance. 

Check the UL rating.

Every fire extinguisher has a UL rating(underwriter laboratory) that numerically states the effectiveness of various fire extinguishers. They also show the range of effectiveness of the fire extinguisher and how much water is present in the can. For instance, a fire extinguisher rating of 20:BC means it can extinguish 20 feet of electrical burns.

Consider the size

Fire extinguishers have varying sizes, and their sizes differ according to their types. Fire extinguishers used in the kitchen are smaller and easier to carry than in large warehouses. If you want a fire extinguisher for a mining site, consider one that is large enough to cover a large area at once. Although big-sized fire extinguishers are more effective than smaller sizes, this is not always the case. Yet, you must consider the size of fire extinguishers before getting one for a mining site.

Ulani Uriah

Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.

Thanks