Fire extinguishers are often taken for granted until business owners encounter fire incidents. You might have a fire extinguisher at your place of business; however, its location and servicing will determine if you will salvage some of your valuables before a fire spreads uncontrollably and causes extensive damage. Notably, an environmentally friendly fire control system can go a long way in mitigating the harmful effects of chemical substances on the environment. In this regard, here are some top eco-friendly tips to help business owners get the best out of their fire extinguishers. 

Inert Gases -- With most businesses shifting towards environmentally sustainable systems, it is becoming imperative to use less harmful fire suppression systems including Inergen and Argonite. Apart from extinguishing fires, such gases have minimal effects on the ozone layer, and subsequently global warming. The advantage of inert gases in fire extinguishing is that they suppress oxygen, which is responsible for sustaining fires. Nonetheless, this does not mean that inert gases exhaust all the oxygen in a room to cause suffocation. Therefore, when designing a fire suppression system of this kind, ensure that volume and pressure venting aspects are on top of your list since they determine the concentration of the gases.    

Water Mist -- A water mist fire system utilizes an incredibly fine water vapor to put out fires. The system works by displacing oxygen through evaporation of the mist as well as cooling the fire and air in a room. Furthermore, the droplets ease radiant heat, which leads to the spread of fire. The benefits of this method of fire control include the absence of toxic elements, efficient water use, effectiveness in controlling a wide range of flames, and instant activation. However, the efficacy of the water mist system depends on factors such as the distribution of water mist, fire size, and the ventilation status of the room.

Recycling -- Fire extinguishers should never be disposed of in a garbage bin since they contain hazardous chemicals that can damage the environment when discharged in water sources or open drains. You should take a disposable fire extinguisher to a registered recycling center. If it is charged, then the chemicals can be captured safely before other materials are recycled accordingly.

Safety -- Even a sophisticated fire extinguisher might be overwhelmed by fire, especially if accelerants or flammable materials are involved. In this case, you should prioritize safety over extinguishing the fire. A rule of thumb is to get to safety and call your firefighting emergency service.