Purple K Dry Chemical

Purple-K, also known as PKP, is a dry-chemical fire suppression agent used in some dry chemical fire extinguishers.

It is the second most effective dry chemical in fighting class B (flammable liquid) fires after Monnex (potassium allophanate). In addition, it can be used against some energized electrical equipment fires (USA class C fires).

It is 4–5 times more effective against class B fires than carbon dioxide and more than twice that of sodium bicarbonate. In addition, some fire extinguishers can operate in temperatures down to −54 °C or up to +49 °C.

Dry chemical works by directly inhibiting the chemical chain reaction, forming one of the four sides of the fire tetrahedron (heat + oxygen + fuel + chemical chain reaction = fire).

It also has a smothering effect by excluding oxygen from the fire to a minor degree. “Dry chemical” extinguishers, such as Purple-K, are different from “dry powder” extinguishers used to fight Class D flammable metal fires.

Purple K has been the choice of oil, gas, chemical, and utility industries as the preferred fire-fighting agent.