Clean Agent Extinguishers

What Is A Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher?

A clean agent extinguisher uses residue-free gas to safely extinguish Class B fires caused by flammable liquids, Class C Fires ignited from combustible gases and electrical fires that are triggered by overheating or damaged electrical environments.

How Does A Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher Work?

A clean agent fire extinguisher deploys a residue-free, electrically non-conductive gas onto the affected area.

• Suffocates the flames: Clean agent extinguishers displace oxygen to suffocate the flames effectively.

• Cools the affected area: Some clean agent extinguishers also remove the heat from the fuel.

• Evaporates instantly: Clean agent extinguishers remove the risk of slippage or corrosive residue.

When Would You Use A Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher?

A clean agent extinguisher protects engines and construction sites where hot machinery may be used alongside petrol, oil, paint or fuel. Clean agent extinguishers protect electrical environments such as server racks and data centres.

When To NOT Use a Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher

Despite being a versatile firefighting tool, clean agent extinguishers cannot suppress Class A or Class F fires.

You must never use clean agent extinguishers on:

• Class A flammable solid fires caused by wood, paper, textiles and furniture. The extinguishing agent cannot penetrate the fire.

• Class F hot oil and cooking fat fires. Clean agent fire extinguishers cannot sufficiently cool the extremely hot flames or achieve saponification to suffocate the oxygen.  

• Class D flammable metal fires as the clean agent cannot fully cool down these hot fires.

How To Identify a Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher

Clean agent fire extinguishers are red with a bright green label. On the front of the fire extinguisher, the label will clearly show CLEAN AGENT text.

The Pros and Cons of Clear Agent Fire Extinguishers

Pros of Clean Agent Extinguishers:

• Residue-Free: The clean agent instantly evaporates once deployed. This removes the risk of harmful residue causing corrosive wear and tear to the area.

• Non-Conductive: Clean agent fire extinguisher safely suppresses electrical fires without the risk of shock that a water fire extinguisher would cause.

• Safer Choice for Enclosed Environments: Like CO2 extinguishers, clean agent extinguishers combat fires via suppressing the oxygen. However, they do not pose a risk of asphyxiation - making them safer for enclosed spaces.

• Fast-Acting Suppression: Once the clean agent has been deployed it will work quickly, effectively cooling and suppressing the fire for fast suppression.

Cons of Clean Agent Extinguishers:

• Less Effective in Open Areas: Clean agent extinguishers are an effective choice for enclosed spaces. However, in larger, open spaces the agent will disperse quickly, reducing its effectiveness.

• Not Suitable Against Class A or Class F fires.