Final answer:
An AFFF extinguisher, which stands for aqueous film-forming foam, is used to fight fires, especially Class B fires involving flammable liquids. The fluorinated foam forms a barrier on the surface of the fuel to extinguish the fire. AFFF is effective but has some environmental and health concerns, hence it's essential to consider safety ratings such as those provided by NFPA 704.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding AFFF Extinguishers
An AFFF extinguisher is a type of fire extinguisher that uses an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to fight fires. This foam is a fluorinated solution that can quickly spread across the surface of a fire, particularly those involving flammable liquids, and extinguish it effectively. Such foam extinguishers are suitable for use on fires involving organic liquids, like those related to dry-cleaning solvents or fuels, which are classified as Class B fires. Moreover, due to the presence of fluorinated agents that can create a film, AFFF is also effective on Class A fires, which involve common combustibles like wood and paper.
The application of AFFF extinguishers includes firefighting scenarios that involve fire extinguisher systems as well as the handling of foaming plastics. However, it is important to note that AFFF extinguishers were previously used with dry-cleaning solvent and fire situations but are no longer recommended due to potential environmental and health risks associated with fluorinated agents.
For proper safety measures, it is valuable to refer to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 704 Hazard Identification System which gives a clear understanding of substances, rating their flammability, reactivity, health, and other hazards. Furthermore, substances like ANFO, used as an industrial explosive, have specific handling procedures to prevent detonation or undesirable reactions as indicated by the NFPA 704 hazard ratings.