Electrical fire has become more of a risk since electricity is now an established part of our lives.
It is rare to find a building or establishment without electricity. It helps makes so many tasks easier in our modern society. Since we take electricity as such a given in our day to day lives, the dangers of it are often underplayed and not given enough thought or consideration. Putting this into perspective, it is estimated that 7% of fires in residential properties are a result of electricity.
Due to these risks, it is important that in the case of an emergency you would know exactly how to tackle such a fire and what with.
Is it safe to tackle an electrical fire yourself?
If you’re in a situation where an electrical fire has been started, it seems instinctual to start putting it out. However, you should attempt to extinguish the fire only if you know how and it is safe to do so. When attempting to tackle a fire you should ensure that your priority is safety – of yourself and of others. This even applies if you are a designated fire warden.
In order to extinguish an electrical fire quickly and safely, you firstly need appropriate equipment to hand to contain it.
How to tackle an electrical fire?
If it is safe to do so, the first thing to do that is advisable is to turn off the supply of electricity to the affected area or piece of equipment. This is not always possible to do safely. If this is the case, the next best thing to do, is to remove the fire’s supply of oxygen. If you are tackling a small fire and have access to a fire blanket, then this is your best option. The blanket provides a safe way to extinguish the fire.
Which fire extinguisher should I use?
If you do not have access to a fire blanket, you may have access to a fire extinguisher. It is important the correct type of fire extinguisher is used on an electrical fire. If it isn’t, you will risk your own safety and the safety of others. Additionally, using the wrong extinguisher could spread the fire more quickly.
The fire extinguisher must contain powder or CO2 (carbon dioxide). These are known as non-conductive or class C extinguishers.
What not to use on an electrical fire?
If neither a fire blanket or a non-conductive fire extinguisher is available, it may be tempting to use a different fire extinguisher or even water. The dangers of doing this cannot be emphasized enough. Water or conductive extinguishers should not be used on an electrical fire as due to their conductive nature could shock or electrocute you or those around you. Additionally, using this equipment is likely to cause the fire to spread.
Tackling the fire is not always the safest option
After reading this information we hope you have increased your knowledge on whether it’s safe to tackle an electrical fire, and if so, the best immediate actions as well as necessary equipment. It is worth taking note of the key points and ensuring you have the correct extinguisher close by especially in work environments where there is an abundance of electrical equipment.
However, keep in mind the potential dangers of such fires. By just bearing in mind the types of equipment not to use in the event of an electrical fire, could prevent a fatal error while waiting for additional help.
