Unit 4. A fire extinguisher

Useful vocabulary

• a protection device – устройство защиты

• an emergency situation – чрезвычайная ситуация

• the ceiling – потолок

• to endanger – подвергать опасности

• a vessel – сосуд/баллон/камера/резервуар

• to discharge – разгружать/разряжать

• a chamber – камера/полость

• depending on – в зависимости от

• propellant – сжатая жидкость

• average – средний

• available - доступен/в наличии

• an advantage – преимущество

• wheeled – колесный

Task I. Look through the text quickly and find the following information

1. How many types of fire extinguishers are described in the text?

2. What are the main differences between them?

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user or requires the expertise of a fire department. Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which can be discharged to extinguish a fire.

There are two main types of fire extinguishers: stored pressure and cartridge-operated. In stored pressure units, the expellant is stored in the same chamber as the firefighting agent itself. Depending on the agent used, different propellants are used. With dry chemical extinguishers, nitrogen is typically used; water and foam extinguishers typically use air. Stored pressure fire extinguishers are the most common type.

Cartridge-operated extinguishers contain the expellant gas in a separate cartridge. This type is not as common, used primarily in industrial areas, where they receive higher-than-average use. They have the advantage of simple and prompt recharge, allowing an operator to discharge the extinguisher, recharge it, and return to the fire. Unlike stored pressure types, these extinguishers utilize compressed carbon dioxide instead of nitrogen, although nitrogen cartridges are used on low temperature models. Cartridge operated extinguishers are available in dry chemical and dry powder types in the US and in water, wetting agent, foam, dry chemical (classes ABC and BC), and dry powder (class D) types in the rest of the world.

Fire extinguishers are further divided into handheld and cart-mounted, also called wheeled extinguishers. Handheld extinguishers weigh from 0.5 to 14 kilograms and are easily portable by hand. Cart-mounted units typically weigh 23+ kilograms. These wheeled models are most commonly found at construction sites, airport runways, heliports, as well as docks and marinas.

Task II. Read the text thoroughly and say if these statements are true or false. If they are false, please, correct them

1. A fire extinguisher is used in conditions of big fires.

2. A typical fire extinguisher consists of a pressurized vessel with an agent for extinguishing a fire.

3. Water and foam extinguishers usually use nitrogen.

4. Cartridge-operated extinguishers are used mostly in industrial areas.

5. Wheeled models of fire extinguishers are too heavy for being portable by hand.

Task III. Using the information from the text

1. Prove that:

1. There are two types of fire extinguishers.

2. Cartridge-operated extinguishers have an advantage.

2. Explain why:

1. A fire extinguisher is used for small fires.

2. Different propellants are used in fire extinguishers.

3. Complete the statements:

1. Out-of-control fire requires the expertise of …. .

2. Stored pressure fire extinguishers are … …. … … .

3. Simple and prompt … allows an operator to discharge …, recharge it, and return to … .

4. Nitrogen cartridges are used on … … models.

5. Cart-mounted are called … … .

Task IV. Fill in the gaps using the words and phrases from the box

emergency protection to endanger to depend on common simple advantage instead of to mount powder

1. Smoking at the gas station can … life and safety.

2. Heart diseases are very … among men in the world.

3. … is a dry substance in the form of extremely small grains.

4. We should do something … just talking about it.

5. His experience gave him a big … over the other applicants.

6. They … the statue on a big stone in the centre of the square.

7. … exits must be clearly marked.

8. This building is constructed in a .., but classic style.

9. Wear a fire-proof uniform to have … against burns.

10. Egypt and Turkey greatly … tourism.

Task V. Odd word out! Find the word that is not appropriate in the line and give your reasons

1. the ceiling, the wall, the object, the floor;

2. dry, dangerous, dioxide, simple;

3. an extinguisher, a firefighter, to use, an emergency;

4. higher, more common, more typical, more beautiful.

Task VI. Grammar focus. Pay attention to the underlined words in the text. Discuss them

Task VI. Translate the following sentences into English

1. Различные защитные устройства используются для обеспечения безопасности.

2. Мы не могли видеть обстановку в комнате, так как все было в дыме.

3. У каждого огнетушителя есть свой средний срок службы.

4. Огнетушитель, хранящийся в неправильных условиях, может не сработать в чрезвычайной ситуации.

5. Вы должны быть предельно собраны во время службы.

6. Эта баня была заново построена после пожара.

7. Заправляя огнетушитель, следуйте правилам техники безопасности.

8. Наша группа будет разделена на две команды для быстрого и эффективного пожаротушения.

9. Вся информация, находящаяся на сайте, в настоящее время не доступна.