Electrical fires pose a significant threat to both homes and businesses.
In 2022, electrical malfunction caused 7% of residential fires and 6.2% of fires in commercial buildings.
In many cases, residents and tenants respond first, making it crucial to understand what type of fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires.
Imagine a sudden spark igniting in your home or business.
Knowing how to respond can mean the difference between a minor incident and a major disaster.
This guide provides essential knowledge on extinguishing electrical fires and ensuring you are prepared for any emergency.
From identifying the correct fire extinguishers to understanding key fire safety tips, we’ll help you navigate electrical fire emergencies.
How Do Electrical Fires Start?
Electrical fires start when electrical equipment, wiring, or outlets malfunction.
These fires can occur in both homes and businesses, often without warning. Common causes include:
- Overloaded circuits
- Faulty wiring
- Damaged equipment
- Lack of electrical system maintenance
- Improper use of electrical equipment
Electrical fires are particularly dangerous because using water or the wrong type of extinguisher can cause electrocution.
Water conducts electricity, posing a severe risk when fighting electrical fires.
Knowing how to handle these fires with the right equipment and procedures is crucial for your safety.
What Type of Fire Extinguisher Is Used for Electrical Fires?
When a fire breaks out, do you grab the nearest fire extinguisher? Not if you want to fight the fire safely.
If you haven’t disconnected the electrical source causing the fire, a Class C fire extinguisher is the only type suitable for smothering flames.
The two primary Class C extinguishers are as follows:
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
CO₂ extinguishers discharge a cold blast of carbon dioxide gas that smothers the fire by displacing oxygen.
The gas also helps cool down hot equipment and wiring, reducing the chance of re-ignition.
Best Use Cases: CO₂ extinguishers are ideal for use in areas with electrical equipment, such as server rooms, offices, and workshops.
They leave no residue behind preventing further damage to sensitive equipment.
Dry Chemical
Dry chemical extinguishers use a fine powder — typically monoammonium phosphate or sodium bicarbonate — to smother the fire.
The powder interrupts the chemical reaction that keeps the fire burning and coats the fuel, cutting off its oxygen supply.
Best Use Cases: These extinguishers are versatile and you can use them in homes and businesses.
They are effective for electrical fires as well as other types of fires (Class A for ordinary combustibles and Class B for flammable liquids), making them a multi-purpose solution.
For electrical fires, many people assume they should only use Class C fire extinguishers.
In specific cases, Class C is the correct choice, but it’s not always the go-to equipment to combat an electrical fire.
Once you turn the power off, the fire is no longer considered an electrical fire.
At that point, you may need a different type of equipment.
Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers
Clean agent extinguishers are a specialized type of fire extinguisher designed for use in high-tech environments.
Unlike traditional extinguishing agents, clean agents do not leave any residue behind, making them ideal for protecting sensitive electronic equipment.
How They Work
Clean agent extinguishers use halon or halocarbon agents to suppress fires.
These agents interfere with the chemical reactions that sustain the fire.
They effectively disrupt the combustion process.
By removing one of the essential components required for fire — either heat, fuel, or oxygen — clean agents rapidly extinguish flames without leaving any harmful residue behind.
Where They Work
Clean agent extinguishers work well in environments where cleanliness and equipment integrity are critical.
Some of the best use cases include:
- Data Centers
- Computer Labs
- Medical Facilities
In these high-tech environments, using clean agent extinguishers ensures that fire safety practices align with the sensitive nature of the equipment they protect.
How to Use Class C Fire Extinguishers
Imagine what you would do if you discovered an electrical fire.
Would you grab the nearest fire extinguisher, pull the pin, and spray? Properly using a Class C fire extinguisher is critical for safely extinguishing electrical fires.
Follow these steps to ensure you handle the situation effectively and minimize risks:
Turn Off the Power Source
This is the most important step.
If it’s safe to do so, immediately turn off the power source to the affected area.
This action prevents the risk of electrocution and stops the flow of electricity that might sustain the fire.
Check the Extinguisher
Make sure the extinguisher you are about to use has either a blue or black label.
Dry chemical fire extinguishers have a blue label while the label on CO₂ extinguishers is black.
Verify that the pressure gauge is in the green zone (fully charged and ready for use).
If the gauge is in the red zone, the extinguisher may not have enough pressure to work effectively.
Don’t forget to check the expiration date!
Aim
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not at the flames.
Targeting the base helps smother the source of the fire.
Squeeze the Handle
Firmly squeeze the handle and hold your grip steady.
As the extinguisher releases the fire suppressant, you may feel a gentle kickback.
Sweep Side to Side
Move the nozzle back and forth in a sweeping motion, covering the entire area of the fire’s base.
This ensures even distribution of the extinguishing agent. Continue to sweep until the fire is out.
These steps help you extinguish electrical fires.
Proper training and familiarizing yourself with the operation of fire extinguishers beforehand can make a significant difference in an emergency.
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