Fire Fire Warning - Please read and pass on

Muppet81

This may not be the right part of the Forum to post this but I wanted to get maximum readers and it is a way to prevent an increase in your home insurance policy premium.

Last Sunday, a neighbour hammered on my door asking if we had a fire extinguisher for use on electrical fires. We did not, nor did any of the other neighbours.

He had smelt burning and noticed the electrics board in the hall was on fire. He had a small, old powder fire extinguisher and used it. The flames died down but then sprang up again.

He said it was the worst moment of his life, there was nothing he could do but ensure that his family were all out of the house. Being an electrical fire, he could not use water.

We all stood round helpless as the flames took hold.

Fortunatley the fire brigade arrived in time to prevent really serious damage but nevertheless there was bad scorching to the ceiling and wall and to the skirtings and wall in the room above. The electrics were caput and the whole house smelt of smoke.

Result - a very sizeable insurance claim which will obviously affect the size of his premium next year.

Since then I have been asking everyone I meet, if they have a fire extinguisher for use on electrical fires. So few have and I beg them to buy one. £20 or less will buy you one. I asked the Fire Brigade and £20 would buy you an adequete one.

We have, of course, bought one. I do not ever want to be in the position where I have to stand helpless and watch my house and belongings destroyed, especially when spending £20 could have saved it.

Incidentally, a week earlier, we had snow and ice up here. had it happened then, would the Fire Brigade even have made it in time? Awful thought!

When buying our extinguisher, I went to a large electrical superstore and asked if they sold them They did not. How appalling that large retailers who make a fortune selling electrical items, do not think to promote or even stock extinguishers suitable for use on an electrical fire.

Please please please, will you all ake a few minutes to think about how awful it would be to watch your home destroyed. Please please please equip yourself with a suitable extinguisher. Please please please pass this thought onto all your friends so the warning spreads as far and wide as possible.

Thank you so much and keep safe.

Lazy_Liz

Very good point but can I suggest getting a fire blanket? You can use this on all types of fires including the particulary common kitchen fire or chip pan fire.

rachbc

a fire blanket to hand is also a good plan, also knowing where the mains power switch is so you can turn off the electricty

System

Muppet81 wrote: »

Being an electrical fire, he could not use water.

And the first thing the fire brigade do is put a jet of water on it.

kittycat204

i do understand what you are saying but the government tells us to "not tackle fires yourself, leave it to the professionals"
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_073993.pdf
most people die after being consumed by smoke, the best thing to do is to leave the property and call the fire department.
property can be replaced, lives are irreplaceable.

there is a reason that most commercial properties aren't advised to have extinguishers. they are for escape reasons rather than fire fighting.

also remember if your using a big water/foam (usually silver) extinguisher they last about 1 minute. A co2 extinguisher (normal size) about... 11 seconds. Other ones usually 10 to 20 seconds.

hardly long enough for large scale fires.

I'm not discouraging people from getting them, just remember to use them for the right reasons and at the right time.

[Deleted User]

turn the electricity off at the main switch, while running water into a bucket. When electricity is off then douse flames with water. Use a fireblanket for oil. (or several tea towels ). Fire needs fuel, oxygen and heat, get rid of one and the fire will die

snowleopard61

I'm absolutely no expert at all, but the fire safety training chap at work recently told us that, as far as he knew, the reason why water fire extinguishers are not recommended for electrical fires is not that it is dangerous to use them but that they would be likely to ruin the electrical equipment on which you used them. This did rather surprise us all - given that, presumably, a computer which had caught fire was likely to be rather past its best by the time the fire was extinguished! - but perhaps it's true?

I think if all I had was a water-type extinguisher I'd use it in these circumstances.

babyshoes

I kind of assumed that the risk of using water on an electrical fire was that part of the circuit might still be 'live' and give you a shock...

Blackpool_Saver

how old were the electrics in this house ?

squeaky

snowleopard61 wrote: »

I'm absolutely no expert at all, but the fire safety training chap at work recently told us that, as far as he knew, the reason why water fire extinguishers are not recommended for electrical fires is not that it is dangerous to use them but that they would be likely to ruin the electrical equipment on which you used them. This did rather surprise us all - given that, presumably, a computer which had caught fire was likely to be rather past its best by the time the fire was extinguished! - but perhaps it's true?

I think if all I had was a water-type extinguisher I'd use it in these circumstances.

Umm...

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/extinguishers

Water Fire Extinguishers are good for tackling fires involving burning paper, wood and soft furnishing (Class A fires), as the water soaks into the materials and cools them, while extinguishing the fire. This type of extinguisher does not contain harmful chemicals but has a low fire fighting rating. Due to this water fire extinguishers are usually large and heavy to overcome their lack in fire fighting power. It is also important to remember that water is an electrolyte and conducts electricity. Care must therefore be taken with regards to accidental use on exposed power cables. However, both the weight and the conductivity problems can be overcome by using water extinguishers with environmentally friendly additives. Water extinguishers with additives have a higher fire fighting rating which, therefore, allows the use of smaller and lighter extinguishers. Neither do they conduct electricity. As they are mostly free of harmful substances, water fire extinguishers are especially suitable in households where children have access to the extinguishers and an accidental discharge is possible.

The_Ubiquitous_Mrs_Smith

I get what yuou are saying but... my first thought would be to get everyone out safely. Attempting to put the fire out can waste valuable time.

Also, you need to know how to use a fire extinguisher. I wouldn't be able to and being the weakling I am I doubt I could even hold it properly.

Finally, just because the fire looks like it is out, it doesn't mean it actually is. It could still be burning out of sight.

Personally I think you are better off using your energy to check your fire alarms and make sure everyone knows whst to do in a fire and how to get out if the main exits are blocked.