Annual maintenance
Why annual maintenance of fire-fighting equipment is mandatory Fire extinguishers usually hang for years without being used. But that doesn't mean
Class D fires
Class D fires
Brandklasse D is voor metalen die branden.
Class D fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, aluminium, sodium, and potassium. These metals can reach extremely high temperatures and often react violently with water and other extinguishing agents. This makes metal fires particularly dangerous and difficult to extinguish.
Metal fires mainly occur in industrial environments where metalworking takes place, such as foundries, laboratories, and manufacturing plants. The smallest spark or friction can be enough to ignite metal particles.
How to deal with Class D fires?
When dealing with metal fires, it is important to use the correct extinguishing agent, as standard agents such as water, foam, and CO₂ can worsen the fire or even cause explosions. This does work:
- Special D powder extinguishers – Designed to extinguish flammable metals. The powder forms a heat-resistant layer that extinguishes the fire and prevents further reaction.
- Dry sand or graphite powder – Effective.
Important: Never use water, foam, or CO₂ on a metal fire. Water can react with hot metals and cause dangerous hydrogen gas explosions. CO₂ extinguishers cannot withstand the extreme heat and are therefore ineffective.
To reduce the risk of a class D fire:
- Keep workspaces clean and remove fine metal dust and particles to prevent spontaneous combustion.
- Use spark-free tools and avoid grinding or sanding near flammable metals.
- Store metal safely and ensure a controlled environment free from unnecessary heat sources.
- Ensure the correct extinguishing agents are available at locations where flammable metals are processed.
What if the fire spreads?
If a metal fire cannot be brought under control immediately, the heat can ignite other materials and create an explosion hazard. Evacuate immediately, warn staff, and call the fire brigade. Do not attempt to worsen the situation by using inappropriate extinguishing agents.
Assistance with prevention and protection
Metal fires require specialist fire safety. Flame Control helps companies with the correct preventative measures, such as Class D fire extinguishers, safety procedures, and on-site inspections. This minimises risk and ensures a safe working environment. Want to know more about fire safety in metal processing? Get in touch for professional advice.
Categories
Fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems
Fire safety
Fire prevention
Maintenance
Types of fire
Wet- en regelgeving
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