Fire extinguishing agents

The following is a list of commonly used fire extinguishing systems and their corresponding classes of fire. The classes are indicated in parentheses such as (A, B, C):

Novec 1230
Novec 1230 fire Protection Fluid is a next-generation halon alternative designed to balance industry concerns for performance, human safety and the environment, which makes Novec 1230 fluid the first option to non-sustainable technologies.

Fm 200
FM-200® (1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane) is a compound of carbon, fluorine and hydrogen (CF3CHFCF3). It
is colorless, odorless and electrically non-conductive. It suppresses fire by a combination of chemical and physical mechanisms without affecting the available oxygen.

Inergen
The Inergen gaseous system is an inert gas fire suppressant consisting of natural gases and extinguishes fire without causing harm to people, property or the environment.

Cold Fire
Cold Fire is an environmentally friendly fire extinguishing agent that puts out ANY fire faster, safer, with less water, less damage to property, and less risk to firefighters. Cold Fire cools 21 times faster than water, and works to remove heat and the fuel sources from the fire tetrahedron, preventing reignition. 

Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical (A, B, C)
A dry chemical agent called mono ammonium phosphate. The chemical is non-conductive and can be mildly corrosive if moisture is present. In order to avoid corrosion, it is necessary to scrub and thoroughly cleanup the contacted area once the fire is out. A dry chemical fire extinguisher is usually used in schools, general offices, hospitals, homes, etc.

Regular Dry Chemical (B, C)
A dry chemical agent called sodium bicarbonate. It is non-toxic, non-conductive and non-corrosive. It is easy to cleanup, requiring only vacuuming, sweeping or flushing with water. Extinguishers with sodium bicarbonate are usually used in residential kitchens, laboratories, garages, etc.

Carbon Dioxide (B, C)
Carbon dioxide removes oxygen to stop a fire but has limited range. It is environmentally friendly and leaves no residue, so cleanup is unnecessary. Extinguishers with carbon dioxide are usually used in contamination-sensitive places such as computer rooms, labs, food storage areas, processing plants, etc.

Halotron (A, B, C)
A vaporizing liquid that is ozone friendly and leaves no residue. Because it requires no cleanup, fire extinguishers with halotron are ideal for computer rooms, telecommunication areas, theaters, etc.

Foam (A, B)
Foam floats on flammable liquids to tame the fire and helps prevent reflashes. To cleanup the affected area, it must be washed away and left to evaporate. Fire extinguishers with foam are usually used in garages, homes, vehicles, workshops, etc.

Purple K Dry Chemical (B, C)
A dry chemical called potassium bicarbonate. It is non-conductive and non-corrosive. Clean up requires vacuuming, sweeping or flushing with water. Extinguishers with potassium bicarbonate are usually used in military facilities, oil companies, vehicles, etc.

Water (A)
The most common agent is water; however, it cannot be used for class B or C fires because it is conductive. Water-based fire extinguishers are usually used in stockrooms, schools, offices, etc.

WATER

Removes heat
Effective on Class A fires
Inexpensive
Plentiful
Non-toxic 

Disadvantages:

Conducts electricity
May spread Class B fires
Freezes in cold climates
May carry pollutants as run-off water 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Reduces oxygen to less than 15%
Effective on Class B and C fires
No residue
Relatively inert 

Disadvantages:

Generally >35% concentration by volume required for total flooding system
Toxic to humans at >4% by volume
Not the best agent for smoldering deep-seated fires (maintain concentration for >20 minutes)
Dissipates rapidly - allows reflash
Has a cooling/chilling effect on some electronic components
Vapor density = 1.5 (collects in pits and low areas) 

Dry Chemical
Interrupts chemical reactions
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
Very effective on Class B and C fires
Not considered toxic 

Disadvantages:

Leaves a residue
Obscures vision
Not good on deep-seated Class A fires
Absorbs moisture and may "cake" within container
May be irritating
Nozzle pressure may cause burning liquids to splash 

Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical
Interrupts chemical reactions
Ammonium phosphate
Effective on Class A, B, and C fires
Non-conductive 

Disadvantages:

Obscures vision
More irritating than ordinary dry chemical
Nozzle pressure may cause burning liquids to splash 


Halon terminology
Halon 104: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) Halon 1211: Bromochlorodifluoromethane (CBrClF2) Halon 1301: Bromotrifluoromethane (CBrF3)

Halon 1301
Interrupts chemical reactions
Bromotrifluoromethane
Effective on Class A, B, and C fires
Not acutely toxic at <10% by volume
Generally used at <7% by volume
No residue
No chilling effect on electronic parts and components 

Disadvantages:

Acutely toxic at >10% by volume (anesthetic and cardiac effects)
Delayed effects and effects of chronic exposure not well known
Toxic decomposition products are generated by fire
Vapor density = 5 (collects in pits and low areas)
Production restricted per Montreal Protocol due to depletion of ozone layer 

HALON 1301

DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS

Hydrogen fluoride (HF)
Hydrogen bromide (HBr)
Bromine (Br2)
Carbonyl Fluoride (COF2)
Carbonyl Bromide (COBr2) 

Halon 1211
Interrupts chemical reactions
Bromochlorodifluoromethane
Effective on Class A, B, and C fires
No residue
May be sprayed (Boiling Point = 25oF)
Used in portable fire extinguishers 

Disadvantages:

Acutely toxic at >4% by volume (dizziness, impaired coordination and cardiac effects)
Must be used at >5% by volume
Toxic decomposition products are generated by fire
Vapor density = 5.7 (collects in pits and low areas)
Production restricted per Montreal Protocol due to depletion of ozone layer 

HALON 1211

DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS

Hydrogen bromide (HBr)
Hydrogen chloride (HCl)
Hydrogen fluoride (HF)
Bromine (Br2)
Chlorine (Cl2)
Fluorine (F2)
Carbonyl bromide (COBr2)
Carbonyl chloride (COCl2)
Carbonyl fluoride (COF2)