Which of the following gas is used in Red colored fire extinguisher?

Appeared in: KGMU 2023

Explanation

The question asks for a 'gas', and among the options, only Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a gas.
CO₂ fire extinguishers have a standard red-colored body, fitting the description 'Red colored fire extinguisher'.
While the identifying color panel for CO₂ is black, the main cylinder is red, making this answer consistent with both parts of the question ('gas' and 'red colored').

Option A: Foam is a liquid-based extinguishing agent, not a gas. Its identifying color code is a cream band.
Option B: Water is a liquid, not a gas. Although a solid red extinguisher contains water, this option fails to meet the 'gas' criterion in the question.
Option C: Wet Chemical is a liquid-based agent, not a gas. It is used for Class F (kitchen/cooking oil) fires and is identified by a yellow band.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart showing the five main types of fire extinguishers (Water, Foam, Dry Powder, CO₂, Wet Chemical) with their corresponding color bands, classes of fire, and a picture of each.
Visual 2: Diagram: Illustration of the RACE protocol (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate) with simple icons for each step.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Fire safety and types of fire extinguishers helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Knowledge of fire extinguisher types is crucial for nurse and patient safety, as using the wrong type can be ineffective or even dangerous (e.g., using water on an electrical fire).
Nurses are often first responders in a hospital fire. Following the RACE protocol (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate) is a fundamental part of emergency preparedness training.
What if? If a fire starts in an electrical panel, using a Water or Foam extinguisher would be extremely dangerous due to the risk of electric shock. The correct choice would be a CO₂ or Dry Powder extinguisher.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the keywords in the question: 'gas' and 'Red colored fire extinguisher'.
Evaluate each option against the first keyword, 'gas'. This immediately eliminates Water, Foam, and Wet Chemical, as they are liquid-based.
The only remaining option is Carbon dioxide. Now, verify if it fits the second keyword, 'Red colored'.
Recall or deduce that standard fire extinguishers have a red body. A CO₂ extinguisher fits this description.
Conclude that Carbon dioxide is the only option that satisfies both conditions of the question, even if the color-coding system has more nuance (the black panel). This indicates it's the best possible answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full KGMU 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.