The gas used in fire extinguishers is

RRB Staff Nurse Jaipur-6th June 2018

General Knowledge

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Jaipur-6th June 2018

Explanation

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a non-flammable and non-combustible gas, making it suitable for extinguishing fires.
It is denser than air, which allows it to displace the oxygen surrounding a fire, thereby smothering it and breaking the fire triangle.
When CO₂ is released from a high-pressure extinguisher, it expands and cools rapidly, which helps to remove heat from the fire.
This dual action of removing both oxygen and heat makes it highly effective for Class B (flammable liquids) and electrical fires.

Option A: While Nitrogen is an inert gas, it is primarily used as a propellant in dry chemical extinguishers or in large, fixed suppression systems, not as the main extinguishing agent in common portable gas extinguishers.
Option B: Sulphur dioxide is a highly toxic and corrosive gas. Releasing it would create a dangerous environment, causing severe respiratory irritation and other health problems.
Option D: Hydrogen is an extremely flammable and explosive gas. It would act as a fuel source for the fire, causing it to intensify dangerously.

Visual 1: Diagram: The Fire Triangle. This visual shows the three essential components for a fire: Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen. It helps explain that fire extinguishers work by removing at least one of these elements.
Visual 2: Infographic: Types of Fire Extinguishers. This chart illustrates the different classes of fire (A, B, C, D, K) and the corresponding extinguisher types (Water, CO₂, Dry Powder, Wet Chemical) with clear labels and usage icons.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Fire safety principles and the chemical agents used in fire extinguishers helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
In any healthcare facility, all staff, including nurses, must be trained in basic fire safety, which includes knowing the location and proper use of fire extinguishers.
Nurses should be familiar with the PASS acronym for operating a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side.
Using the wrong type of extinguisher can be hazardous. For example, using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire (common in patient care areas with medical equipment) could cause electrocution. CO₂ extinguishers are safe for these situations.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on general science and safety knowledge.
First, analyze the question's core requirement: a gas used to extinguish fires. This gas must be non-flammable and capable of suppressing combustion.
Evaluate each option based on its chemical properties related to fire.
Eliminate Hydrogen immediately, as it is well-known to be highly flammable.
Eliminate Sulphur dioxide, as it is a known toxic pollutant and would be unsafe to use.
Consider the remaining options: Nitrogen and Carbon dioxide. Both are relatively inert.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Fire safety principles and the chemical agents used in fire extinguishers.
Stem keywords: gas, fire extinguishers
Lead-in keywords: is

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