Extinguish a starting fire

Video: How to Safely Put Out a Kitchen Fire

Content

To step
Method 1 of 3: Extinguish electrical fires
Method 2 of 3: Extinguish liquid or oil fires
Method 3 of 3: Extinguish organic fires
Tips
Warnings
Necessities

When a fire starts, it can still be small enough to extinguish with a fire blanket or a fire extinguisher. By being well prepared and quickly determining what kind of fire it is, you have a good chance of not only extinguishing the fire, but also extinguishing it without being in danger. Always remember that the safety of everyone in the area, including yourself, is paramount. If the fire spreads quickly, produces dangerous amounts of smoke, or if it takes more than five seconds to put it out with a fire extinguisher, sound the fire alarm, evacuate the building, and dial 911.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Extinguish electrical fires

Put out the fire before it starts. Most electrical fires are caused by poor wiring or poor maintenance of the electrical systems. To prevent an electrical fire, make sure that the outlets are not overloaded and that all work on the electrical installation is done properly and by a qualified electrician.
- Also, keep electrical systems free of dust, debris, and spider webs, as all of that can lead to fires.
- You should also use fuses and fuses as much as possible, because that way you simply prevent a fire from starting an electricity peak.
Remove power from the electrical system. If an electrical appliance starts to spark or if any wiring, appliance, or outlet lights up, the first and best step to take is disconnecting the power to the system. If the source is only sparking or if the flame has not yet passed, you can do enough to put out the fire.
- You have to shut off the power in the fuse box and not by pulling the plug from the socket.
- If the problem is with the wiring or an appliance, don't just pull the plug. The electrical problem that arises can also create a risk of electrocution.
If you are unable to turn off the power to the source, use a class C fire extinguisher. Which kind of fire extinguisher is right here depends entirely on whether you could turn off the power to source or not. If you don't know where the plugs are, or if it just takes too long to get to them, you should use a C-class fire extinguisher. These are either carbon dioxide (CO2) or dry chemical extinguishers and will normally read "Class C" on the label or on the extinguisher itself.
- To use the extinguisher, pull out the pin that prevents you from pressing the lever, aim the horn at the bottom of the fire and keep the lever pressed. If you see the flames getting smaller, move closer to the source and keep spraying the fire until it's completely extinguished.
- If you cannot put out the fire with the fire extinguisher within five seconds, it is too big. Evacuate to a safe place and call 911.
- Since the broken wiring is still getting power in this case, the fire can flare up again. You should still try to turn the power off as soon as possible.
- You must use a C-class extinguisher as it contains non-conductive substances. An A-class extinguisher only contains water under high pressure, which conducts electricity and leads to electrocution risks.
- Another way to recognize CO2 and dry chemical extinguishers is because they are red (fire extinguishers with water are silver). CO2 extinguishers also have a loud horn at the top and not just a hose, nor do they have a pressure valve.
Use an A-class extinguisher if you have turned off the power. If you manage to turn the power off completely, you have also managed to turn a C-Class electrical fire into an A-Class standard fire. In that case you can simply use an A-class water extinguisher, in addition to the previously mentioned extinguishers.
- A-class extinguishers and multifunctional dry chemical extinguishers are recommended in this scenario, because with CO2 extinguishers the risk that the fire will continue to smolder and flare up again as soon as the CO2 disappears. CO2 extinguishers can also cause breathing difficulties in small spaces such as houses or offices.
Use a fire blanket to smother the fire. You can also use a fire blanket to smother the fire, but this will only work if you have managed to turn off the power to the source completely. While wool (most fire blankets are chemically processed wool) insulates well, you still don't want to get too close and risk being electrocuted if the power is still on.
- To use a fire blanket, remove it from the packaging, hold the unfolded blanket in front of you so that your hands and body are protected, and place the blanket on the small fire. Do not throw the blanket into the fire.
- This is not only very effective at the start of a fire, but it also leaves the environment and any objects undamaged.
Use water to extinguish the fire. If you don't have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket at hand, you can use water; please note that you ONLY use water if you are 100% sure that you have turned OFF the power to the source. Otherwise, you not only run the risk of being electrocuted, but also that the electricity will spread, so that the fire can spread much faster. Throw water on the bottom of the fire.
- Water from the tap only works if the fire is very small and limited. Otherwise, it will spread faster than you can get water.
Call 112. Even if the fire is out, you still have to call 112. Smoldering objects can catch fire again and firefighters know how to completely isolate and remove the risks.

Method 2 of 3: Extinguish liquid or oil fires

Shut off the fuel supply. In some cases, the first thing to do in a fire with flammable substances is to shut off the fuel supply. For example, if a static discharge ignites gasoline around a gas pump, the first thing to do is press the emergency stop button located near the pump at every gas station. This will cut off the small fire from the very large fuel supply nearby.
- If the flammable liquid is the only fuel source, the fire often goes out on its own as soon as you turn off the fuel supply.
Use a fire blanket to smother the fire. You can also use a fire blanket on a small B-class fire. If you have a fire blanket at hand, this is the easiest and least harmful method.
- To use a fire blanket, remove it from its packaging, hold the unfolded blanket in front of you so that it protects your hands and body, and place the blanket over the small fire. Under no circumstances throw the blanket at the fire.
- Make sure the fire is not too big to smother the blanket. The oil in a deep fryer catching fire is an example of a fire small enough for a fire blanket.
Use a B class fire extinguisher. As with electrical fires, water extinguishers (A class) should not be used on liquid or oil fires. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and dry chemical extinguishers are classified B. Check the label on the extinguisher and make sure it is B-class before using it on a liquid fire.
- To use the extinguisher, pull the pin that prevents the lever from being pressed, aim the horn at the bottom of the fire and squeeze the lever. Once you see the flames getting smaller, get closer and keep spraying until the fire is completely out.
- If you can't extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher within five seconds, it is too big. Evacuate to a safe place and call 911.
- The only exception to this rule is when the liquid fire is caused by vegetable oil or animal fat in industrial fryers and other restaurant equipment. The large size and extreme heat and fuel source of these devices calls for a class of fire extinguishers of their own - K class fire extinguishers. Restaurants with such equipment are required by law to have K class extinguishers.
- DO NOT throw water on liquid or oil fires. Water does not mix with the oil, the oil floats on the water. This causes the water to boil and change very quick in steam. Since the water is under the oil, as soon as it boils and evaporates, it sprays hot, burning oil in all directions. This allows the fire to spread very quickly.
Call 112. Even if the fire is extinguished, you have to call 112. Smoldering objects can catch fire again and firefighters are able to isolate and remove any hazards.

Method 3 of 3: Extinguish organic fires

Use a fire blanket to extinguish the fire. If the fuel source of a fire is solid, combustible material - wood, clothing, paper, rubber, plastic, etc. - it is an A class fire. A fire blanket is a quick, easy way to extinguish the start of an A-class fire. The fire blanket removes the oxygen from the fire, thus taking away the ability to burn.
- To use a fire blanket, remove it from its packaging, hold the unfolded blanket in front of you so that it protects your hands and body, and place the blanket over the small fire. Under no circumstances throw the blanket at the fire.
Use an A class fire extinguisher to extinguish. If you don't have a fire blanket handy, you can use an A-class fire extinguisher. Check for "Class A" on the extinguisher label.
- To use the extinguisher, aim at the bottom of the fire and spray back and forth until it is off.
- If you can't extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher within five seconds, it is too big. Evacuate to a safe place and call 911.
- Only A-class fire extinguishers are silver colored and have a pressure valve for the water in them; many multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers are also suitable for A-class fires.
- You can use a carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher on an A class fire if that is all you have, but it is not recommended. Class-A objects tend to smolder for a long time and the fire can easily flare up again once the CO2 disappears.
Use plenty of water. An A-class extinguisher is basically just pressurized water, so you can use large amounts of water from the tap too, if you don't have anything else. If it turns out that the fire is spreading faster than you can put it out - or if too much smoke is being produced to give it a proper try - evacuate the room and call 911 immediately.
Call 112. You have to call 112 for every type of fire, even if you can put out the fire. Firefighters can stop the fire from flaring up.

Tips

If you are using a fire blanket, make sure you leave the fire covered for at least 15 minutes or at least until all the heat has dissipated.
Get to know the different types of fire extinguishers you have at home or in the office. The sooner you get the right extinguisher, the better your chances are of extinguishing the fire in the beginning.
Make sure you know where the fuse box is in your home or office. In the event of an electrical fire, you want to be able to get to the stops as quickly as possible to turn off the power.
Always call 112, even if you have successfully extinguished the fire.
If the flame hits your fryer, use baking soda to douse it.

Warnings

If you are afraid of a gas leak, evacuate the area or, if safe to do so, shut off the gas supply and immediately call 112 or the emergency number of the gas company. Do not use a mobile or cordless telephone near the leak! Also, do not switch on electrical appliances. If possible, ventilate the room by opening all windows and doors. If the leak is outside the building, close all windows and doors. Natural gas is highly flammable and can quickly fill a space. When ignited, the fire will be explosive and never small enough to fight without the help of professional firefighters.
This article provides general guidelines for trying to put out very small fires that have just started. Use the information herein at your own risk and use extreme caution in any event of fire.
Smoke inhalation is also very dangerous. When the fire has developed to the point where a lot of smoke is being produced, evacuate and call 911.
The moment it is not possible to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher within five seconds, it is too big. The fire extinguisher is most likely empty before you put out the fire. Evacuate the room and call 911.
Your life comes first. Evacuate once the fire has spread and there is little chance of getting it out normally, and don't get your things together. Acting quickly is crucial.