Electrical Fire Extinguisher

Using the Right Kind of Electrical Fire Extinguisher
is Paramount

Class C fires start involving any malfunction in electrical equipment, such as appliances, having to do with faulty wiring, circuit breakers that are not working as expected, or electrical outlets not functioning well as they should. It is very dangerous to use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of an electrical shock is too great, that it could even cost you your life. Electrical fire extinguisher for Class C fires do not have a numerical rating at all; the C classification just means that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive, and will not conduct any electricity to harm you.

The types of extinguishers that can serve safely as electrical fire extinguishers are only the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers. You can be sure you will not suffer any electrical shock in using this type against a fire caused by an electrical problem in an appliance or by defects in the electrical wiring system.

CO2 fire extinguishers contain carbon dioxide, a non-flammable gas, which are highly pressurized. The pressure is so great that it is not uncommon for bits of dry ice to shoot out when the extinguisher is functioning to put out electrical fires. Carbon dioxide is heavier than oxygen so these CO2 fire extinguishers work by displacing or taking away oxygen from the surrounding area of the fire. Carbon dioxide is also very cold so it also works by cooling the area hit by the electrical fire. These properties of carbon dioxide are the very attributes that make it qualify as an electrical fire extinguisher. A carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher may not work however against class A fires, because it may not be able to displace enough oxygen to put the fire out, thus causing it to reignite and continue burning.

Carbon dioxide CO2 fire extinguisher have an advantage over dry chemical fire extinguishers, since they do not leave a harmful residue on the appliances. This is a good choice to use for an electrical fire on a computer, or other favorite electronic device such as a stereo or TV that you do not want destroyed by the residues alone from the use of an electrical fire extinguisher.

It is vital to remember that using the wrong type of extinguisher, as an electrical fire extinguisher could be dangerous to your life. An electrical shock in such tension-filled moments when facing a fire could cause you to have a heart attack and that will surely be worse than just a plain electrical shock. Electrical energy that passes through the water, for example, of a water fire extinguisher wrongly used as an electrical fire extinguisher, will increase in voltage that your body cannot any more tolerate.

There are many types of fire extinguishers, but do not forget that each one has uses for different types of fires. There is only one type that fits as an effective electrical fire extinguisher, and none other else will qualify for suppressing an electrical fire. Only the Carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher can do the job safely.