Refrigerants Used for Fire Suppression

Refrigerants used to suppress fires are commonly applied by firefighters. These chlorofluorocarbons are found in a variety of regular machines like refrigerators and air conditioners, but they can be mixed and used to help stop fires from spreading and eventually put them out entirely with proper application.

Ammonium Phosphate

• Ammonium phosphate is one refrigerant that's used to help suppress and fight fires. You can mix this material at home if you want to, using the instructions that are listed in the References section. Ammonium phosphate is made in liquid form by mixing the necessary chemicals with water, and it can be used with great effect to suppress fires if it's applied properly and in time.

Argonite

• Argonite is actually the brand name of a fire suppression agent that's used in a number of fire fighting systems. The compound is actually a completely inert gas that can attack fire's capability to burn well or long by stopping it from getting oxygen to the flames. The gas is made of of equal parts argon gas and nitrogen gas (50 percent each). This system works better in enclosed spaces where the gas can't be blown away by wind or other phenomena.

Potassium Bicarbonate

• Potassium bicarbonate is a fire suppressant that's actually used in baking as well as in fighting fires. A powdery substance, potassium bicarbonate is odorless, tasteless and colorless, and it comes in a powdered form. This particular fire suppression agent poured onto fire and the chemical reactions stop the fire's spread by interfering with the natural chemical process that's required for the fire to keep itself burning.