Sammuttaja

Sammuttaja is the Finnish term for a fire extinguisher, a portable device designed to discharge an extinguishing agent to control or extinguish a fire in its early stages. Extinguishers are widely used in homes, offices, vehicles, and industrial facilities and are intended for use by individuals with basic training.

Extinguishers come in several types defined by their extinguishing agent and suitability for different classes of fire. Common agents include water or water-based solutions, foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, and wet chemical agents for cooking fires. Some extinguishers are multi-class and can handle several fire types, while others are specialized for electrical fires or kitchen fats. In many regions extinguishers are labeled with class ratings such as A, B, C, and F (and in some systems D for metal fires).

Standards and maintenance: Portable sammuttajia typically conform to national or international standards, such as EN 3 in Europe or NFPA 10 in the United States. The labels indicate the fire classes and the approximate size or amount of fire they can handle. Regular maintenance includes monthly visual checks, annual service by a qualified technician, and hydrostatic testing at prescribed intervals. After a discharge, the unit must be recharged or replaced.

History: Fire extinguishers were developed in the 19th century; early designs used compressed air to discharge water. Through the 20th century, extinguishers evolved with new agents and pressurization methods and became standard safety equipment in buildings and vehicles.