Hi,
What does the firefighter say about CO2 extinguishers in private households?
They are only suitable for fire class B, here is an overview as a reference
Fire class A:
Fires of solid substances, mainly organic in nature, which normally burn with glowing embers, e.g. wood, paper, straw, textiles, coal, car tires
Fire class B:
Fires of liquid or liquefiable substances, e.g. gasoline, benzene, oils, paints, tar, ether, alcohol, stearin, paraffin
Fire class C:
Fires of gases, e.g. methane, propane, hydrogen, acetylene, natural gas, town gas
Fire class D:
Fires of metals, e.g. aluminum, magnesium, lithium, sodium, potassium and their alloys
Fire class F:
Fires of cooking oils or fats in deep fryers or fat frying devices or other kitchen appliances or kitchen equipment
The classic powder extinguishers are suitable for A, B and C, so somewhat more universal. Unfortunately, they dirty the surroundings, which is less significant in larger fires.
All handheld extinguishers are only meant for "quick use," usually the fire is already quite strong when the smoke detector goes off. An extinguisher helps little then. You can use it to put out fires from a wastebasket or a developing car fire. Unfortunately, big fires and small fires are hard to describe. I therefore recommend the "big video tube," there are relevant films by fire departments.
The disadvantage of CO2 extinguishers is that they are only useful indoors and increase the CO2 concentration. The gas is also heavier than air, so the cellar quickly becomes unpleasant. In the end, it is nothing more than a small gas bottle filled with CO2.
It is mostly used in data centers, ships, and electrical systems. The necessary safety devices for personnel are quite challenging. I was once in a DB data center, it can be unsettling. Airtight doors everywhere and alarm lights with hazard signs. They just let the CO2 flow into the room. It spares the material but not the people.
Oh, they have those there too?
Yes, there as well. They stand on the left in the bookshelf and are hard to miss. :D