How to Put Out Electrical Fires

How to Put Out Electrical Fires 

A school must always understand the Importance of Fire Prevention and be a fire-safe place for our children. School fire safety measures, fire devices, fire drills, fire exits, fire escapes fire alarms are just components of good school fire safety measures. Fire safety reduces the risk of injury and building damage that fires can cause. Electrical fires can happen at any time and can be caused by a wide range of problems, including faulty wiring or overloaded appliances. If you see an electrical fire, you should call emergency services right away. If you think you can fight the fire safely, begin by disconnecting the electricity, if possible, and smothering the flames. Knowing how to put out an electrical fire effectively, including when to call in firefighters to do the job, could save not just your life, but also the life of your friends or family.

1.1 Call emergency services. If a fire is developing and you cannot get the electricity turned off or it is growing rapidly, call the fire department. Even after you call you may be able to get it out yourself, but it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a fire.

·        In general, firefighters will be better equipped to fight a fire that has live electricity in the mix than you will be.

·        Tell the person you talk to that you are dealing with an electrical fire, so that the firefighters know what they are getting into.

·        Even if a fire is small, calling the fire department will ensure that if the fire grows, you will have help on the way.

1.2 Make sure you can safely evacuate. Before attempting to put out an electrical fire yourself, it's important to know you can get out of the area safely. If you can see 2 paths to safety from where you would be located to fight the fire, then it's reasonable to stay and fight the fire. If you can only see 1 escape route, you should take it and let the fire department fight the fire. It is better to stay safe than risk getting trapped in a fire.

·        Having 2 escape routes allows you to fight the fire until it is out or until 1 of the escape routes is blocked by fire or debris. Once 1 of the 2 is blocked, it is time to evacuate.

·        Escape routes typically include doors and windows that you can easily pass through to the outside. A window that is many stories above the ground would not be a great escape route, while a first-floor window would.

1.3 Evacuate, if necessary. If at any time you begin to feel unsafe, an exit gets blocked, you get burned, you start to breathe in smoke, or your fire-fighting techniques are not working, abandon your efforts and get out of the building. Your safety is more important than belongings or buildings.

·        Close doors behind you as you leave. This will help keep the fire as contained as possible.

Method 2: Disconnecting the Electricity

2.1 Unplug appliances that are on fire. If you have an electrical fire that has started in an appliance that plugs in, such as a toaster, you should immediately unplug it. Make sure that you can get to the wall socket or extension cord safely and then disconnect it from the outlet.

·        Unplugging an appliance that is on fire will reduce the risk of the fire spreading beyond the appliance.

·        Many electrical fires start at overloaded appliances. For instance, if there is a short in your toaster, it can produce enough heat to start a fire. Another example is when too many Christmas lights are plugged into each other, it can create enough heat to start a fire.

2.2 Turn off the electricity. If you have an electrical fire that is in a wall or in an appliance that you can't get to to unplug, focus on getting the power turned off. If you can safely get to the electrical switch or the electrical panel, go there and kill the power. Disconnecting the power will eliminate the risk of electrocution, will eliminate the heat source that started the fire, and will allow you to fight the fire with a wider array of fire-fighting techniques.

·        If you cannot get to a location to shut off the power safely, don't attempt it. It is better to stay safe and fight the fire with the power on than to risk getting burned or electrocuted trying to turn the power off.

2.3 Be certain that the electrical disconnect is out of reach. Once a fire has started, electricity can continue to create heat that will encourage the fire to continue. Electricity will also make the fire harder to fight, because you have to be careful not to get shocked, in addition to avoiding getting burned. With this in mind, make sure there is no safe way to get to the electrical disconnect before giving up and fighting the fire while it is still electrified.

·        If you have an appliance fire where the appliance can't be unplugged, go turn off the power at the breaker box. Whatever you can do safely to remove the electricity from the situation, do it.

Method 3: Putting Out an Electrical Fire With the Power Still On

3.1 Never use water on an electrical fire. If you cannot turn off the electricity and the area that is on fire is still energized, the last thing you want to do it pour water on it. Water will conduct the electricity that caused the fire, creating an electrocution hazard in addition to the fire hazard.

·        If you are unsure whether a fire has been caused by live electricity or something else, err on the side of caution and don't use water.

3.2 Smother a small fire with baking soda. If you can't disconnect an appliance or cord that is smoldering, cover the whole area in baking soda. This will block the oxygen that the fire needs to keep burning while not creating an electrocution hazard like water would.

·        Do not use flammable items to smother an electrical fire, such as a blanket. With live electricity involved, flammable items you use could easily start burning.

3.3 Use only a class C or ABC fire extinguisher. The type of fire extinguisher you can use on a live electrical fire is very specific. An electrical fire is known as a Class C fire, and so requires a Class C fire extinguisher. A fire extinguisher marked ABC is also acceptable, as it's capable of stopping fires caused by wood/trash, liquids, and electrical equipment.

·        Many fire extinguishers made for home use are ABC extinguishers.

·        Other types of extinguishers could create an electrocution hazard if used on an electrical fire because they contain liquids or chemicals that conduct electricity.

3.4 Use the fire extinguisher properly. In the moment of an emergency, it can be hard to remember how to operate a fire extinguisher. To make that easier, remember the term PASS and what each letter stands for:

·        P - PULL the silver safety pin on the handle of the extinguisher.

·        A - AIM the hose and nozzle of the extinguisher at the fire.

·        S - SQUEEZE the handle of the fire extinguisher slowly.

·        S - SWEEP from left to right, making sure to get every part of the fire.

3.5 Disconnect the electricity when possible. Once the fire is under control enough to safely get to the electrical panel or the outlet, disconnect the power. This will help ensure that the fire is not reignited by electricity and that the risk of electrocution is eliminated.

Method 4: Putting Out an Electrical Fire Once the Power is Off

4.1 Use a fire extinguisher if you have one available. If you have turned off the electricity and there is a fire extinguisher nearby, spray it on the fire. It doesn't matter what kind of extinguisher you use on a fire that has no live electricity around it.

4.2 Use a fire blanket or other thick blanket to smother the fire. If you don't have an extinguisher but you do have a fire blanket, use it to smother the fire. By covering a small fire you are eliminating much of the oxygen the fire needs to keep going. With quick action, a fire blanket or other thick blanket can be used to put a small fire out completely.

4.3 Douse the fire with water. You need to be absolutely sure that the electricity is turned off before putting water on a fire. If you are sure, spray or dump water on the fire and nearby areas that are likely to become ignited. The moisture will put out active flames and will reduce the risk of the fire growing.

·        Water on an electrified fire can create an electrocution hazard, in addition to the fire hazard.

·        If the fuel for the fire you are fighting is kerosene, oil, or another liquid fuel, be careful putting water on it. The water can pick up the fuel and move it to another area where it can then ignite and spread the fire.

 

 REF:
1.     http://trip.ustia.org/safety/tips/
2.     https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/Fire-Sprinkler-Initiative/Blog-Posts/
3.     http://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/fire_getoutalive.pdf
4.     http://scoutingmagazine.org/
5.     https://www.ready.gov/wildfires

Fire Extinguisher – Buying guide

Fire Extinguisher – Buying guide

A fire extinguisher may not be very effective against a large-scale developed fire, but it is extremely effective in dousing an incipient fire before it goes out of control. This is what makes them so perfect for homes and offices. Now use of fire extinguisher is increasing every day. Thanks to FSAI that many people start understanding the use and value of the extinguisher as it saves from hazardous things like fire. Extinguishers have the advantage of portability that can be very handy in dousing fires that are difficult to reach by other mechanisms.

There are lots of stuff that you need to know before you go for shopping when it comes to this, apart from this there are companies related to fire extinguishers refilling in India, who can help you when your extinguisher require refilling. But before that, you should understand few basic kinds of stuff to avoid any kind complication in future. Here is our handy extinguisher guide:

✅Specialist or wide range: Fire safety equipment involves more than just fire extinguishers and you may want a more comprehensive system. In that case, you should check if the fire safety extinguishers supplier offers other firefighting equipment like fire blankets and fire alarms. You can choose to go with a separate vendors or manufacturers, but a single vendor is more likely to give you competitive pricing apart from saving your time and effort.

✅Which size do you want? Well, the size of your extinguisher does not affect the working as it only means that you have the larger volume in the fire extinguisher. However, it depends on the need and the location/area you want to cover.  A multi-stored building will need an extinguisher on each floor. The area of the floor and partitions within will again decide the number of extinguishers. For instance, a large floor with multiple rooms, offices or homes may need multiple extinguishers, while a small floor may work perfectly well with a single extinguisher. Your car with its limited space will require a small portable extinguisher.

✅Selecting the right type: All extinguishers may look the same, but they are actually quite different. Extinguishers are classified according to the type of fire, which depends on the accelerants present. The accelerant is be the material that is found on the premises and will differ from one location to another. The classification of fire is as follows:

-    Class A: Fires involving organic solids like paper and wood.

-    Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids like petrol and diesel.

-    Class C: Fires involving flammable gases.

-    Class D: Fires involving combustible metals.

-    Class E: Fires involving electrical equipment.

-    Class F: Fires involving cooking oil and fat.

The type of fire will decide the agent that we use to extinguish the fire. Agents used in firefighting are water, wet chemical, foam, dry chemical, dry powder, carbon dioxide, and vaporizing liquid. Type A fire requires a water extinguisher, while a Type D fire requires a dry powder extinguisher. So, a water extinguisher may work in your bedroom, but for your kitchen you may need a wet chemical extinguisher.

✅Location: Decide on the location of the extinguisher before you buy it. There are a few rules here that you must keep in mind:

-    It must be installed above ground.

-    It should be placed in a location where nothing obstructs it path.

-    It should be clearly visible.

-    It should be placed near an exit so that one does not have to walk into the fire to retrieve it.

-    It should not be placed near an inflammable substance.

✅Complexity of the extinguisher: Some fire extinguishers are more difficult to operate Carbon dioxide extinguishers, for instance, must be handled very carefully since the gas expelled is extremely cold. In such cases, it is important to ensure that you have people trained to use such extinguishers.

✅How to use it? Not just buying is a hectic stuff but also knowing how to use the fire extinguisher is another thing that you should consider. However, these modern extinguishers are much easier to use as you just have to follow PASS which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. After using it, make sure to refill it again. These are important factors will help you to buy whatever kind of extinguisher you need. Also, do know about the refilling a recharging process. Make sure your extinguisher is properly maintained and ready to use when it is needed. Apart from that, do check the working and the overall extinguisher to make sure it’s safe for use or not.

✅ Mounting Guidelines:
If a fire extinguisher weighs more than 40 lbs, the top must be mounted no higher than 3.5 ft (1.07 m) from the ground.
If it weighs less than 40 lbs, the top can be mounted up to 5 ft (1.53 m) high.
In both cases, the bottom of the extinguisher must be at least 4 inches (102 mm) above the ground.

✅ Coverage Area Considerations:
A single extinguisher should effectively cover an area within a 75 ft (22.7 m) radius, ensuring no unprotected gaps.

✅Rechargeable or Disposable: Rechargeable extinguishers have a metal valve where disposable extinguishers have a plastic valve. While the rechargeable may seem more expensive, it is more economical in the long-term. However, if you need the extinguisher for just a short time span, you may consider disposable extinguisher.

✅Placement of the extinguisher: Fire Extinguisher travel distance as per hazard types are shown in below:

✅Refilling services: A fire extinguisher requires refilling at certain intervals. This will be specified by the manufacturer. In addition, it must be refilled every time gas is expelled. You must keep these expenses in mind when buying an extinguisher. Find a fire extinguishers refilling India agency that offers the best package. For instance, some agencies offer a comprehensive maintenance package that includes repairs as well as refilling services that may be more economical in the long run.

✅Certification: Every extinguisher must comply with the proper ISO certification. This means that it meets all the regulations regarding its working and safety. This is the minimum quality control that you must maintain.

✅Check for service terms: It is important to see what kind of services the supplier is offering. Extinguishers need regular servicing. So, any supplier who also has a servicing facility wins brownie points. See if you can get a favorable deal along with your extinguisher. Many suppliers offer complimentary service for a limited period. This should also be considered in the overall pricing.

So, before you buy an extinguisher, find out the type of fire that is likely to take place, the area and availability of fire extinguishers refilling India.