What is Air Water Fire Extinguisher?

What is an Air Water Fire Extinguisher?

The air/water extinguisher is regarded as the ‘classic’ extinguisher and is still used to dealing with class A & B fires. Water fire extinguisher offers high cooling with no substantial negative environmental impact. Due to their nature, they are ideal for spaces filled with heavy combustibles such as warehouses. They can also be used in homes especially in living rooms and bedrooms.

Different Types of Water Extinguishers

• Water Jet Extinguishers: Work by spraying water on burning materials.
• Water Spray Extinguishers: Use a very fine spray of water droplets which non-conductive.
• Water Extinguishers With Foaming Solvent: Allows for to soak in burning materials more effectively.
• Water Mist, Fog Extinguishers: Similar to water spray extinguishers absorbs energy heat faster.

If you would like to learn more about different types of water extinguishers, we recommend this article. However, in this article, we will cover what water and air and water extinguisher are used for, what class fires they can combat, its pros and cons and how to ensure good maintenance so you can have an effective fire protection system.

How To Identify An Air Water Fire Extinguisher?

In Australia, water extinguishers have a red body and will have a RED colour band wrapped around the tank. You can also identify a water and air extinguisher by looking at the description label imprinted on the red tank as we explain below. The label should include:

• Type: Water
• Size: 9.0L
• Use Instructions
• Accepted Materials For Use ​

What are Air/Water Extinguishers used for?

Air/ Water extinguishers are an economical and environment-friendly solution to combat class A type (flammable solids) they are perfect for the office, home or warehouses (paper mills, textile factories) that have heavy combustibles. Electrical equipment should be avoided when using a water extinguisher (unless water with additive is used) as water is a conductor. If you would like assistance in choosing the right extinguisher for your needs, feel free to talk to one of our friendly staff.

Suitable Class Fires For Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher

• Class A Fires: These involve ordinary combustibles including wood, paper, textiles, and many plastics. Ideal for homes, schools, and warehouses that have heavy combustibles but do not have live electrical equipment being used. ​

How Does An Air Water Fire Extinguisher Work?

Air-water fire extinguishers cool the temperature of the fire making it difficult for the fire to burn and reignite. Water is a very cost effective solution and has zero impact on the environment.

Pros of Air Water Extinguishers:

1. Rechargeable
2. Easy Maintenance :
3. Highly Portable
4. Environmentally friendly
5. Highly Effective For All Fires Under Class A

Cons of Air Water Extinguishers

1. Limited to treat class A range
2. Not Frost Resistant
3. Not suitable for areas with electrical equipment

How Do I Use Air Water Fire Extinguisher?

Water fire extinguishers are suitable for use on class A fires involving solid combustible materials such as wood, paper, and textiles. Each fire should be tackled differently depending on how the fire is spreading.

Before attempting to tackle a fire with an extinguisher you need to make sure that the extinguisher is safe to use.

1. Check that the extinguisher is fully charged by ensuring the pressure gauge is in the green area and that the safety pin is not bent
2. Quickly check that there is no live electrical equipment in the area
3. Ensure you remain a safe distance from the fire and remove the safety pin this will break the tamper seal
4. Where to aim the fire extinguisher hose:
5. Fires spreading horizontally: Aim the hose at the base of the fire, moving the jet across the area of the fire
6. Fire spreading vertically: Aim the hose at the base of the fire, slowly moving the jet upwards following the direction of the fire
7. Squeeze the lever slowly to begin discharging the extinguisher, as the fire starts to diminish carefully move closer to it
8. Ensure all the fire has been extinguished, try to focus on any hot spots that may re-ignite.​

Air Water Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

It is routine for fire extinguishers to be checked every six months by a service team as required per regulations. However, we recommend once a month to ensure the following:

• The extinguisher is not blocked by equipment, coats or other objects that interfere with access in an emergency.
• The pressure is at the recommended level, this means the needle should be in the green zone- not too high and not too low.
• The nozzle or other parts are not obstructed
• The pin and tamper seal is intact
• There are no dents, leaks, rust, chemical deposits and other signs of abuse/wear. Wipe off any corrosive chemicals, oil, gunk etc. that may have landed on the extinguisher.
• Fire extinguishers should be pressure tested (a process called hydrostatic testing) after a number of years to ensure that the cylinder is safe to use. We provide our partner, majestic fire with pressure testing and maintenance services.​

Air Water Fire Extinguisher Identification Signs

It is compulsory to have an extinguisher identification sticker as well as fire extinguisher label visible at all times. We offer an extensive range of sticks and labels as accessories to fire extinguishers. Please ensure you also have a maintenance service tag.

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