Commander | 9 Litre Fluorine-Free Foam Fire Extinguisher

FAQs

What types of fires can the Commander FX-FFF-009-DCF extinguish?

This fluorine-free foam fire extinguisher is designed for both Class A fires (combustible solid materials such as paper, wood, textiles and rubber) and Class B fires (flammable liquids including petrol, diesel, oils, paints, solvents and other petroleum-based products). The foam creates a cooling effect on Class A fires whilst acting as a wetting agent, and forms an oxygen-blocking barrier on Class B fires to prevent reignition. It should not be used on Class C fires (flammable gases), Class F fires (cooking oils and fats) or live electrical equipment.

What does the 27A 183B fire rating mean?

The 27A 183B rating indicates the extinguisher’s dual capability. The 27A rating shows it can tackle Class A fires involving 27 layers of wooden cribs in standardised testing conditions, providing the highest Class A performance in the Commander foam range. The 183B rating demonstrates effectiveness on Class B flammable liquid fires covering 183 square decimetres in testing conditions, making it highly effective for larger liquid fire risks in industrial and commercial environments.

What is fluorine-free foam and why is it important?

Fluorine-free foam contains no PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as ‘forever chemicals’, which persist in the environment and pose potential health risks. Traditional foam extinguishers often contained PFAS-based additives, but modern fluorine-free foam uses synthetic foam technology to achieve the same fire suppression performance without environmental concerns. This makes the FX-FFF-009-DCF completely environmentally friendly whilst maintaining excellent fire-fighting capability, helping businesses prepare for environmental legislation regarding PFAS whilst ensuring performance is not compromised.

How does foam work differently on Class A versus Class B fires?

On Class A fires involving solid combustibles, the fluorine-free foam works primarily as a wetting agent and cooling mechanism. It rapidly cools the burning material and provides excellent surface coverage of charred material, with the foam ‘sticking’ to surfaces to further help cool the fire. On Class B fires involving flammable liquids, the foam creates a dense blanket that rapidly forms a barrier layer on the liquid surface, cutting off the oxygen supply to quickly extinguish the fire. The foam blanket also cools the fuel below its ignition point and prevents the release of flammable vapours, preventing reignition.

Can this extinguisher be used on electrical fires?

Whilst the FX-FFF-009-DCF is 35kVa dielectric test certified for safety, foam extinguishers should not be used as a primary solution on live electrical equipment. If an electrical fire occurs, the power should be switched off first if safe to do so. Once the power is isolated, the foam extinguisher can be used effectively on any resulting Class A or B fire. For live electrical fire risks, CO2 or dry powder extinguishers are more appropriate.

What is the operating temperature range?

This extinguisher operates effectively in temperatures ranging from 5°C to 60°C. It should not be installed in locations where temperatures regularly fall below 5°C, as this can affect the foam’s performance. The new deep-drawn cylinder design features enhanced corrosion resistance and UV-resistant finish, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations within the specified temperature range.