A fire extinguisher is an excellent technique to put out an electrical fire, and OSHA recommends having one on each story of the house in case of an emergency. Any extinguisher used to put out electrical fires must, however, be rated suitably. For example, an extinguisher with the letter “C” on its label can put out Class C flames, which are electrical fires.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is commonly associated with cleaning, however it can also be used to extinguish fires. Make sure you know where it is in your kitchen, because promptly locating it and pouring it on an electrical fire can assist put out the flames. Many fire extinguishers, in fact, contain baking soda-like chemicals.
A Blanket
If the fire is tiny, you may be able to smother it with a blanket to remove the oxygen required to keep it burning. Keep in mind that you want to use the blanket to smother the fire rather than merely toss it at it. As a result, if the fire is too large, a blanket is unlikely to suffice.
What types of fires may a fire blanket be used on?
Fire blankets are an integral part of a property’s fire safety plan. A fire blanket is made of materials that are resistant to fire. They’re great for putting out fat pan fires or wrapping around someone whose clothing is on fire. For use in the house, a fire blanket must meet British Standards BS EN 1869: 1997.
How to use a fire blanket.
The most frequent tool for putting out fat pan fires is a fire blanket. As a result, it is best to keep them in the kitchen so that the user has easy access to them. However, do not place the fire blanket too close to the cooker since in the event of a fire, you may not be able to reach it. Place the fire blanket near an escape route so that if the fire becomes too large to handle, you can walk away and alert the Fire and Rescue Service.
Fire blankets are only appropriate for small fires or Class F fires. These are particularly useful in Class F fires. Cooking grease oils are the most common cause of these fires. Water should not be used to put out these types of fires; instead, a fire blanket should be utilized.
In the event of a fire, get as close to the fire as possible and place the fire blanket on top of it if it is safe to do so. The fire blanket will be labeled to indicate whether it should be discarded after use or cleaned and reused, as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The fire blanket can be used on clothing as well. A fire blanket can safely extinguish a person’s clothing if it catches fire. It is an excellent solution to this problem. A fire blanket is powerful enough to carry someone out the door, either by throwing them on it or dragging them. When someone needs to be transported, this procedure should be employed.
We understand the importance of having high-quality fire equipment that complies with British legislation and requirements at IC International. That’s why we have BRIDELATM Fire Blankets on hand, which have been completely approved to BS EN 1869: 1997.
Our fire blankets come in a variety of containers, including a red flexible PVC flat pack and a red U.P.V.C tube pack, which are suited for both household and industrial use. These fire blankets can be draped over a fire to suffocate it by depriving it of oxygen.
There are numerous advantages of utilizing BRIDELATM Fire Blankets. The blanket, for example, is constructed of 100% asbestos-free woven glass fibre fabric. The containers can be placed on the wall to provide full access anytime it is needed, as well as quick withdrawal from the container.
Is it possible to use a fire blanket to put out an electrical fire?
Because a fire blanket may be used to put out both oil and grease fires and electric fires, it’s excellent for use in garages where oil and gas leaks are a possibility.
What should you avoid doing in the event of an electrical fire?
You should not use water or foam extinguishers to put out the flames because water and foam can carry electricity long after the power has been turned off. The only types of fire extinguishers suggested for safely handling electrical fires are carbon dioxide and dry powder fire extinguishers.
Water extinguishers
Water extinguishers are one of the most cost-effective ways to put out Class A fires, which are ones that are started by solid materials like paper, wood, or textiles.
Water extinguishers come in four varieties: water jet, water spray, water with additives, and water mist or fog.
- Water jet extinguishers cool the burning materials and prevent re-ignition by shooting a jet of water at them. They are not to be utilized near live electrical equipment.
- Water spray extinguishers use an extremely fine mist of water droplets that are surrounded by non-conductive air. Most water spray fire extinguishers have passed a 35 kV dielectric test, which implies they were tested at one meter with a 35,000 volt electrical source.
- Water extinguishers with additives are those that have foaming chemicals added to them. The water loses its natural surface tension, making it easier for it to seep into the burning materials. Because the chemicals are mixed into the water, a smaller extinguisher can achieve the same fire rating as a larger extinguisher that uses simply water.
- Extinguishers that use water mist, or fog, apply water in the form of mist, or fog, with much smaller droplets than a water spray extinguisher. The smaller the droplet, the larger its surface area in relation to its size, the faster it evaporates, absorbing heat energy more quickly. The disadvantage is that the smaller the droplet, the less it weights, and hence the weaker the water cloud.
Foam extinguishers
On Class A and B fires, foam fire extinguishers can be used. They’re best for putting out liquid fires like gasoline or diesel, but they’re more versatile than water jet extinguishers because they can also put out solid fires like wood and paper. Liquid fires are extinguished by foam by sealing the liquid’s surface, preventing flammable vapour from reaching the air and starving the fire of fuel. They should not be used on free-flowing liquid fires.
Powder extinguishers
Powder extinguishers are a versatile fire extinguisher that may be used to put out Class A, B, and C flames. They can also be used to put out flames caused by electrical equipment, but they do not cool the fire down enough for it to re-ignite. Powder extinguishers can also reduce visibility and cause breathing difficulties. They are normally not suggested for usage inside buildings unless there is no other option.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers (CO2)
Because CO2 extinguishers are safe to use on fires involving electrical apparatus, they are suitable for settings with a lot of electrical equipment, such as offices or server rooms. Unlike foam extinguishers, carbon dioxide extinguishers do not leave any residue. They can also be used to put out Class B fires, which are ones that involve flammable substances like paraffin or gasoline. CO2 extinguishers put out fires by suffocating them and cutting off their oxygen supply.
Wet chemical extinguishers
Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, such as lard, olive oil, sunflower oil, maize oil, and butter, can be put out with wet chemical extinguishers. When used correctly, they are incredibly effective. The wet chemical quickly extinguishes the flames, cools the burning oil, and reacts chemically to generate a soap-like solution that seals the surface and prevents re-ignition. Although they are primarily intended for use on Class F fires, cooking oils, and deep fat fryers, they can also be used on other types of fires. They can also be used on Class A and Class B flames (wood, paper, and fabrics) (flammable liquids).
Fire blankets
Fire blankets are designed to be used on hot oil fires, such as those found in frying pans or tiny deep fat fryers. They can also be used to put out a fire in someone’s clothing. They function by suffocating the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply that fuels it, and finally extinguishing it.
When should a fire blanket not be used?
- If you can see that a fire blanket will not cover the fire, don’t use it. It will be unable to extinguish the flames and shut off the oxygen supply.
Throwing a fire blanket over the flames is never a good idea. You will not be able to retrieve the blanket to try again if you miss.
- As you carefully drape the blanket over the fire, be sure to pay attention to your hands.
It’s a good idea to keep a fire blanket on hand both at home and at work in case of a small fire. Fire blankets from IC International are available in a number of standard sizes and come with over 25 years of fire prevention knowledge.
For which of the following three purposes would you use a fire blanket?
Fire blankets are used to put out kitchen flames (cooking oil, fat pans, garbage bins, and so on) as well as garment fires. A fire blanket cuts off the oxygen supply to the contents of a pan or a person’s clothing.
When battling an electrical fire, what should you do first?
Please keep these suggestions for putting out an electrical fire ready in the case of an emergency, and share them with friends and family to help keep your community safe. Knowing how to react fast could mean the difference between a minor fire and a major catastrophe.
If an electrical fire starts
1. Switch off the power. If you can safely reach the cord and outlet, unplug the equipment that is triggering the electrical fire.
2. Mix in the sodium bicarbonate. If the fire is little, cover it with baking soda to put it out.
3. Turn off the oxygen supply. If the fire is tiny and it is safe to do so, it can also be put out by removing the oxygen source with clothing or a heavy blanket.
4. Do not put it out with water. You can get shocked or electrocuted if you throw water on an electrical fire since water is a natural conductor of electricity. Water also has the potential to spread a fire by carrying electricity around the space and igniting flammable things.
5. Make sure your fire extinguisher is in good working order. Electrical fires are classified as a Class C fire, which necessitates the use of a Class C fire extinguisher. Most home fire extinguishers are multipurpose and designated ABC, but it’s important to double-check before using one on an electrical fire.
Electrical fires cause almost 500 deaths and over 1,400 injuries each year. They’re quite harmful.
If you are unable to extinguish the electrical fire
- GET OUT OF HERE. To avoid harm or death, you and any family members must depart as soon as possible. Make no attempt to be a hero.
While it’s critical to remember these procedures in order to respond appropriately in the event of an electrical fire, it’s just as important, if not more so, to take actions to prevent them from happening in the first place.
How to stop an electrical fire from occurring
- Invite an electrician to inspect the house to ensure that it complies with the NEC’s safety requirements. They can also determine whether the house needs AFCI protection. These gadgets identify possible electrical risks that normal breakers miss, and they’re especially useful in older homes. Certain forms of electrical fires can be prevented in 50-75 percent of cases.
- Always utilize light bulbs that are rated for the fixture or lamp’s wattage.
- When children are present, take extra steps to avoid electrocution.
- When using heating or air conditioning, never utilize extension cords. They should only be used for a short period of time.
- Make sure the outlets aren’t overloaded. Consult an electrician if more circuits are required.
- If you observe any warning signals of electrical failure, pay carefully. Flickering lights, electrical system humming, and circuit breakers or fuses that constantly trip or blow are examples of this.
- Examine electrical gadgets on a regular basis to see if the wires are frayed or worn. Devices that show evidence of fraying or wear should not be used.
- Use only portable space heaters with a safety feature that turns them off if they fall over. Keep them away from combustible things and don’t keep them on overnight.
In addition to these suggestions, it is critical to develop strong fire safety behaviors. This includes placing smoke alarms in each room of the house and checking their batteries on a monthly basis. Sixty-five percent of fire deaths occur in homes where smoke detectors are not working. Create a house evacuation plan, and have family members practice it on a regular basis to ensure preparedness in the event of an emergency.
Electrical fires can be extremely dangerous, but taking the necessary precautions and responding in a safe and appropriate manner can help to reduce the risk of injury or death.
Is it safe to use foam to put out electrical fires?
If we’re not going to use water, the next best thing is to use a fire extinguisher, right? Perhaps. In the event of a fire, both residential and commercial buildings must have working, up-to-date fire extinguishers that are easily accessible. But did you know that there are many sorts of fire extinguishers, and that not all of them work on all types of fires?
Foam spray extinguishers are quite common, however they should never be used to put out electrical fires. To put out fires, foam spray works in two ways. It is water-based and extinguishes fire while a chemical ingredient called Aqueous Film Forming Foam smothers and inhibits the flames from re-igniting. Because the water-based solution could potentially carry electricity and cause more chaos, this type of extinguisher should not be used on electrical fires.
How do you put out a home electrical fire?
It’s a good idea to take precautions like system updates to reduce the chance of electrical fires. It is, nonetheless, critical to be aware of recommended practices in case you are ever confronted with one. Even if you don’t have a fire extinguisher, knowing how to put out an electrical fire might mean the difference between a minor mishap and a catastrophic disaster.
Put Your Safety First
If an electrical fire is rapidly spreading and you are unable to switch off the power, you must prioritize your safety. If you can’t put out the fire yourself, call 911 straight away and make sure the dispatcher knows it’s an electrical fire. Make sure you can see two clear pathways to safety before attempting to put out the fire yourself. Evacuate quickly if one of those two pathways becomes closed or hazardous to approach. It’s not worth it to put your life on the line.
To begin, turn off the electricity to the fire’s source. Unplug any appliances that are the source of the problem right away. Unplugging it reduces the possibility of the flames spreading, allowing you to concentrate your efforts on the one source of fire. If you are unable to unplug the source, you will need to turn off the power in your home. If you can safely reach to your electrical panel, cut off the power there right away. You are no longer in risk of electrocution and the source of the fire has been cut off once the electricity has been turned off.
If the fire started with an appliance or an overloaded cord, pour baking soda over the flames after unplugging the power source. Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate, a chemical component similarly found in Class C fire extinguishers. If a small item like a toaster or crockpot catches fire, having an open box of baking soda nearby could save your life.
If your electricity is still on, never put water on any size electrical fire, even if it is your first instinct. Because water conducts electricity, if you throw water on the flames, you risk being severely shocked.
How to Put Out an Electrical Fire Once the Power Is Off
After you’ve turned off the electricity in your home, you’ll have more alternatives for putting out the fire. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, a fire blanket is an excellent alternative. Fire blankets suffocate a fire’s oxygen supply, thereby putting it out if it’s small enough. Water is now an alternative if you don’t have a fire blanket and are positive the electricity is off. Douse the fire with as much water as possible, using a large bucket or even the spray nozzle from your sink, until it is entirely out.
