You should never use water on electrical fires (Class C) because water conducts electricity, risking electrocution, and on grease/cooking oil fires (Class F/K), as water sinks, turns to steam, and causes a dangerous fireball, spreading the fire. These situations require specific extinguishers like CO2 or dry powder, not water.
Never throw water onto a fire started by an electrical fault or fires started by oil or paraffin lamps – use sand or a blanket to smother the fire. Check the radio, TV or social media for warnings and obey instructions from disaster management officers.
Grease fires are notorious for their ability to escalate rapidly among the various types of kitchen fires. These fires are made more dangerous when, in panic, someone uses water to fight it. Watch the video below that shows how a minor flare up can turn into an explosive emergency when water is added to the mix.
Tackling a Class D Fire
Because they are so rare and unexpected, the situation can get dangerous quickly. Everyone needs to be aware that you should not use water on this type of fire. This is because it will act to spread the fire and act to actually energise the fire so it causes more damage.
Class C: Electrical equipment, appliances and wiring in which the use or a nonconductive extinguishing agent prevents injury from electrical shock. Don't use water. Class D: Certain flammable metallic substances such as sodium and potassium.
A blue flame is the result of complete combustion, meaning that fuel and oxygen are burning efficiently—more efficiently than the incomplete combustion that produces red, orange, or yellow flames, all of which have lower temperatures.
The letters indicate the types of fires the extinguisher will put out. Class A fires are of combustible solids like wood. Class B fires are of flammable liquids like gasoline or oil. Class C fires are electrical fires.
You should never use water on gasoline fires, grease fires or electrical fires, as doing so can spread the fire or cause electrocution.
Class 'D' fire occurs from flammable metals. These fires are not ordinary fires, these fires happen in places like factories, laboratories, or workshops where metal dust or shavings are present. These metals catch fire quickly and burn at extremely high temperatures. Water or foam doesn't help here.
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Electrical fires may be fought in the same way as an ordinary combustible fire, but water, foam, and other conductive agents should not be used due to the dangers just described. Instead an extinguishing agent specifically rated for electrical fires should be used.
The alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr) are the most reactive metals in the periodic table - they all react vigorously or even explosively with cold water, resulting in the displacement of hydrogen.
NEVER, EVER put out a flaming pan or grease fire with water. Pouring water on burning grease or oil will only cause the burning oil to splash, spreading the fire around. SMOTHER the fire with a metal pan lid (glass can shatter from the high heat).
A CBC meteorologist reminded his audience of the 30-30-30 rule of thumb for Canadian fire — fires burn actively with 30 C temperature, 30% humidity, and 30 kph winds. “That's a good rule of thumb in the boreal, and it was certainly met in Fort McMurray.”
When battling grease and electrical fires, you definitely should not attempt to put them out with water. That being said, we'll be covering alternative ways to put out fires, also because you may not always have access to water at the time of the emergency.
Adding water to hot oil is dangerous due to instant steam explosions and splattering, leading to severe burns and kitchen fires. Understanding the science behind it and following safety tips can prevent accidents, ensuring kitchen safety. Always dry food before frying and never douse oil fires with water.
What is a Class C Fire? A Class C fire is identified as the burning of flammable gases, which can be highly explosive and dangerous if ignited. Combustible gases such as butane, propane and methane form the fuel aspect of the fire triangle, which is essential for a fire to start, spread and continue to burn.
The Specialist Powder Extinguisher range, including the L2 & M28 Extinguishers are specifically designed to tackle Class D fire risks (combustible metals). Class D fires are fires that involve combustible metals such as magnesium, lithium, titanium and sodium.
A Class D fire extinguisher is intended for use on fires involving combustible metals. It is specifically formulated to safely smother and cool the fire, preventing re-ignition and spreading.
Never use water to extinguish flammable liquid fires. Water is extremely ineffective at extinguishing this type of fire, and you may, in fact, spread the fire if you try to use water on it. Never use water to extinguish an electrical fire.
Disadvantages. Unsuitable for certain fires: Not to be used on Class C fires (flammable gases), or on live electrical equipment. Damage: Can cause water damage to property and equipment. Conductivity: Water is conductive, and therefore dangerous for electrical fires.
These fires are the most common and ones that you are most likely to be familiar with. Many Class A fires are caused unintentionally by accidents such as knocking over a candle to lightning hitting a tree. Class A fires are the easiest to put out and you can use a water or foam extinguisher.
What are Class F fires? Class F fires that are caused by the ignition of cooking oils and fats. These fires occur when said oils or fats reach their flash point – in this case, flash point is around 315 °c.
Fire extinguishers that are rated for Class K fires (those involving animal fats or cooking oils) are the only type of extinguisher that can be used on fires involving animal fats or cooking oils. This is because many other types of extinguishers will either be ineffective or could even make this type of fire worse.
Due to the characteristics of the fuel involved in class B fires, it is important not to use water to extinguish the flames. In most cases, a spray of water would not reduce the heat, but would actually serve to spread the fuel farther, causing more damage.