Page 26 - Blue Valley News June/July 2021

LIFESTYLE
HOW TO EXTINGUISH DIFFERENT
TYPES OF FIRE
1. An electrical fire. The first step for an
electrical fire is to disconnect the appliance
from the power source and switch the
power off at the DB Board. Smother the
fire with a fire-proof blanket to remove
access to oxygen. Only use a Class C fire
extinguisher that states it is suitable for
putting out electrical fires. DO NOT TRY
TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER.
Always make sure that your appliances are
unplugged when you’re not using them
– this also helps to save on electricity if
your appliances have always-on stand-by
modes.
2. A grease or cooking oil fire. If this fire is in
a pan on a stove top, cover the pan with a
metal lid to seal off the oxygen. Turn off the
heat source. AGAIN, YOU SHOULD NEVER
TRY TO EXTINGUISH THIS TYPE OF FIRE
WITH WATER – WATER WILL JUST MAKE THE
SITUATION A LOT WORSE. If outdoors, you Do not attempt to
can throw sand on the fire to starve it of
oxygen. A Class B fire extinguisher is best extinguish a gas cylinder fire
suited for dealing with this type of fire, or
you can use salt or bicarbonate of soda
(baking soda) – which is not stored above
the stove!!

dangerous. This is categorised as a Class D
Switch off appliances during fire and the advice is to only use a fire
extinguisher suited to Class D fires to
load-shedding extinguish this type of fire. Yet again, the
advice is to REFRAIN FROM USING WATER.
5. LPG gas fire. If possible, cut off the gas
supply. Carefully smother the fire – it is
important to completely extinguish the
fire to prevent the possibility of a ‘flash
back’. Remove all cylinders from the site
of the fire and store them in a cool place,
well away from where the fire took place
– and DO NOT USE WATER TO TRY AND
EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. If you suspect any
possibility that there has been a gas leak,
DO NOT attempt to light the gas appliance.
Try to shut off the gas supply and, if it’s a
gas cylinder, take it outdoors well away
from any structures. Remember that LPG
gas is heavier than air, so do make sure
toddlers and babies are lifted off the floor
and open all windows for ventilation.
6. Wood, paper, most fabrics and some
plastics. These are classified as Class A
fires and they actually can be put out with
water, although you can also use a Class A
fire extinguisher if you have one.
The most important response to a fire
incident is – if you cannot control and
completely extinguish the fire – leave the
building immediately and call your local fire
rescue service. BV

Sources:
https://fireopssa.co.za
www.firesafe.co.za/2019/04/17/which-fire-
extinguisher
3. A petrol, paint, solvent or paraffin fire. As 4. Combustible metals such as titanium, www.afrox-gas.co.za
with a grease or cooking oil fire, you should magnesium, lithium and aluminium. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the
use a Class B fire extinguisher and NEVER Although it normally takes a lot of heat
TRY TO EXTINGUISH THIS TYPE OF FIRE before these metals will ignite, once they accuracy of this information, readers should seek
WITH WATER. are burning, this type of fire is incredibly professional advice when sourcing firefighting
equipment or employing fire prevention methods.

24 • Issue 3 2021 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS