Uses for a Halon Fire Extinguisher

The history of the fire extinguisher begins in the 1800s in England by George Manby. The fire extinguisher consisted of a container made of copper which held compressed air and potassium carbonate solution. The fire extinguisher has come a long way since then, though its portability remains. The Halon fire extinguishers first came on the market in the 1960s and are still manufactured today. These extinguishers can be used for specific applications.

Class B Fires

• You can use the Halon fire extinguisher for a Class B fire, which consists of fires that are caused by burning grease, oil, gasoline or other flammable liquids.

Class C Fires

• The Halon fire extinguishers can be used for Class C fires, which consist of fires caused by electricity or that are, according to Hanford, "electrically energized."

Marine and Commercial Applications

• The Halon 1301 is a fire extinguisher designed for use in marine and commercial applications. These extinguishers contain vapors and are less toxic than other kinds of extinguishers.

Range

• The effective range of the Halon extinguisher is 4 to 6 feet. Direct the spray of the Halon extinguisher on the fire's base, and continue to spray even when the fire is out.