Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter introduces the related literature and related studies after thorough and in-

depth search done by the researchers. This chapter also presents the conceptual framework,

Research Hypothesis, and Definition of Terms.

Related Literature

Historical evidence indicates that portable manually manipulated and operated fire

extinguishers are the most common method of extinguishing a fire in the process industry in the

incipient stage (Dennis P. Nolan et al., 2019). The goal of providing portable fire extinguishers is

to have a ready supply of extinguishers that can be used quickly in the early stages of a fire.

Fixed fire suppression systems and process incident control systems should be activated when

these extinguishing means have been exhausted or the incipient fire has grown to the point of

uncontrollability by manual methods. Only personnel who have been trained in the use of

portable fire extinguishers should be expected to use them.

According to Karen D. Dominguez, 2018., fire extinguishing methods in ancient Egypt and

Rome included use of hand water pumps and bucket brigades. Technology has advanced

considerably to include other fire suppression techniques but still centers around removal of

heat or oxygen from a fire and by interrupting the chemical reaction responsible for the fire.

Human surveillance, combined with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to the

first signs of a fire, has prevented countless process incidents from escalating into large-scale

disasters. In this study, researchers will combine baking soda and vinegar to be an alternative
fire extinguisher. Adeva-Andany MM, 2014., stated that baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can

result in a multitude of adverse effects when being inhaled, such as Metabolic alkalosis,

headache, muscle pain and twitching, nausea or vomiting, bradypnea, nervousness or

restlessness, unpleasant taste, and increased frequency in urination. Baking soda defined as a

dry chemical commonly used in fire extinguishers. Most dry chemical extinguishers use stored

pressure to discharge the agent, and the fire is extinguished mainly by the interruption of the

combustion chain reaction (Nolan, Dennis., 2019). Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) decomposes

at 270 °C according to the reaction. It acts in a number of ways; the decomposition products are

water (a good fire-fighting chemical), CO2 (which smothers the fire), and sodium carbonate

powder which also acts as an inert smothering agent. Further, the reaction is endothermic, so it

absorbs heat from the fire and this helps in reducing the temperature. In a fire extinguisher, the

powder is driven out of its container by either nitrogen or CO2 under pressure (Vallero, Daniel.,

2013).

Related Studies

According to the Firefighter (2016), baking soda is a useful tool for putting out several forms

of fire. In fact, bicarbonate of soda in various forms is frequently found in fire extinguishers. But,

you must use it carefully, and there is no assurance that using baking soda by itself would

entirely put out a fire. 

In Umanitoba (2003), it is said that a rapid chemical reaction between vinegar and dissolved

baking soda results in the production of carbon dioxide (CO2). If the chemical reaction takes

place in a breaker with a lit candle inside, the carbon dioxide that is produced will build up and

push out the oxygen, putting out the flame.