How to Put Out an Electrical Fire

With so many electrical devices and appliances in modern buildings, it is perhaps no surprise that electrical fires have become more common in recent years.

Statistics show that fire brigades are being called out more frequently as a result of faulty electrics. And with commercial buildings posing a range of electrical hazards, it’s more important than ever to understand how to put out an electrical fire.

In this article, the Millennium Fire Protection team will take a closer look at how you can safely put out this kind of blaze.

How to put out an electrical fire

Electrical fire causes are wide-ranging and can include overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, equipment malfunctions and more.  

If one does occur on your premises, you should follow these steps:

Disconnect the power supply

If safe to do so, you should turn off the power supply. If the fire has occurred as a result of a faulty appliance then simply unplugging it should do the trick, but if it has spread to other electrical items then you will need to turn off power to the entire building by using the fuse box. 

Disconnecting the power supply will remove the source of the fire and reduce the risk of electrocution. 

Use fire blankets for small fires 

If the fire is very small, then smothering the flames with a nearby fire blanket is a good way to quickly extinguish it. 

Use a Class C extinguisher  

If no fire blanket is to hand, you can turn straight to a fire extinguisher. Class C extinguishers need to be used for electrical fires as they have been specially designed to safely handle these kinds of blazes. 

Water should never be used on electrical fires as they increase the risk of electrocution and can help them to spread.

What fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires?

Only Class C extinguishers should be used on electrical fires. These types of extinguishers have been specially designed for these fires and contain non-conductive extinguishing agents that can put out the blaze while also preventing the risk of electric shock. 

Class C extinguishers are available as: 

 

• CO2 fire extinguishers – Effective for electrical fires, they help to displace oxygen without leaving behind a residue. They’re also suitable for Class B fires.
• Dry powder extinguishers – Suitable for electrical fires, these extinguishers interrupt the chemical reaction of a blaze. However, the cleanup can be more intensive than CO2 extinguishers.

What does an electrical fire smell like?

There are a number of signs that an electrical fire has occurred, including discoloured outlets and problems with equipment and appliances. 

However, the smell is perhaps the biggest sign. 

An electrical fire smell can be very distinctive and is a sharp, acrid odour that is associated with overheating wires or components. It can also smell metallic if circuit boards or components have been burned. 

At Millennium Fire Protection, we can provide you with everything you need to be protected against the threat of electrical fires. This includes suitable fire extinguishers, fire alarms, training and much more. Working across Harrow, Ealing, Watford and the surrounding areas, contact our team today for more information.