How to Extinguish Electrical Fires

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The best ways to exhaust a flame caused by electrical issues
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Electrical fires can happen at any time and can be caused by a wide range of problems, including faulty wiring or overloaded appliances. If you see an electrical fire, call emergency services right away. If you think you can fight the fire safely, begin by disconnecting the electricity, if possible. If you have a C-rated fire extinguisher, spray the flames. If you don’t, smother the flames by throwing a thick fire blanket over the fire. We spoke to career firefighter and firefighting expert David Decker to get the info you need to keep your home and family safe from electrical fires.

The Best Ways to Put Out an Electrical Fire

  • Shut the power off and use a fire extinguisher to subdue the fire.
  • If you cannot shut the power off, only use a C-rated fire extinguisher.
  • Smother a small fire in a fire blanket or with baking soda if you don’t have an extinguisher.
  • Call emergency services if you have any trouble fighting the fire.
  • Never use water on an electrical fire if the power is on.
Section 1 of 4:

Extinguishing an Electrical Fire

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  1. If there is a C-rated (or ABC-rated) fire extinguisher nearby, spray it on the fire. [1] Professional firefighter David Decker explains that you can only use a B- or A-rated extinguisher if you are 100% certain the power is off.
    • A- and B-rated extinguishers are designed for normal fires and flammable material fires, respectively. Unfortunately, they rely on conductive materials to put out fires. That means that if the power is on, A- and B-rated extinguishers may make the fire worse or shock you.
    • The letter rating for the extinguisher will be prominently displayed on the label.
  2. If you have a fire blanket, use that. Otherwise, any thick blanket will work. Simply throw the blanket on top of the fire to cover it completely. Alternatively, Decker explains that you could cover the item with a large pan or pot if it’ll fit on top of the flame.
    • Use multiple blankets if necessary. Any heavy fabric will work. Duvets, towels, and drop cloths will all accomplish the same goal.
    • By covering a small fire you are eliminating much of the oxygen the fire needs to keep going.
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  3. If you don’t have a thick blanket or a fire extinguisher, covering the flame with baking soda can extinguish it. Pour an entire container over the fire all at once. [2]
    • Use a liberal amount of baking soda to ensure you completely smother the fire.
    • Baking soda is only an option for smaller fires.
    • When baking soda is exposed to heat, it releases carbon dioxide. That carbon dioxide will choke any existing fire and put it out.
  4. Decker emphasizes how important it is to unplug an appliance or flip your home’s breaker if there’s an electrical fire. This is the only way you can safely use water on an electrical fire. Disconnecting the power will eliminate the risk of electrocution and keep water from spreading the fire.
    • If you put water on an electrical fire, you may be putting your life in danger. Water is highly conductive, which means you’re highly likely to be electrocuted if the power isn’t off.
  5. If you begin to feel unsafe, an exit becomes blocked, you get burned, you start to breathe in smoke, or your fire-fighting techniques are not working, abandon your efforts and get out of the building. Your safety is more important than your belongings or preserving the building. [3]
    • Close doors behind you as you leave. This will help keep the fire as contained as possible.
  6. If you need to flee or you’re struggling to fight the fire on your own, contact the fire department . Even after you call you may be able to get it out yourself, but it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a fire. [4]
    • In general, firefighters will be better equipped to fight a fire that has live electricity in the mix than you will be.
    • Tell the person you talk to that you are dealing with an electrical fire so that the firefighters know what they are getting into.
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Section 2 of 4:

Can you use water to put out an electrical fire?

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  1. If you cannot turn off the electricity and the area that is on fire is still energized, do not pour water on the flames. Water will conduct the electricity that caused the fire, creating an electrocution hazard in addition to the fire hazard. [5]
    • If you are unsure whether a fire has been caused by live electricity or something else, err on the side of caution and don't use water.
Section 3 of 4:

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

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  1. To properly operate a fire extinguisher , use the PASS technique: [6]
    • P - PULL the silver safety pin on the handle of the extinguisher.
    • A - AIM the hose and nozzle of the extinguisher at the fire.
    • S - SQUEEZE the handle of the fire extinguisher slowly.
    • S - SWEEP from left to right, making sure to get every part of the fire.
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Section 4 of 4:

Preventing Electrical Fires

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  1. Before an electrical fire breaks out, the wiring typically heats up hot enough to begin burning the insulation. This usually smells like melting plastic (often with a slight fishy aroma). If you ever come home to find an odd smell, investigate the source of the odor to prevent electrical fires from breaking out. [7]
    • If the source of the odor appears to be coming from inside of a wall or ceiling, shut the power to your home off immediately and contact 911. You probably have an electrical fire developing inside your walls.
  2. If you’ve got a toaster, microwave, oven, or fridge that’s on the older side, keep an eye on it and replace it at the first sign of trouble. Outdated or failing appliances are the #1 cause of electrical fires, so don’t hesitate to update your appliances when they’re reaching their end of life. [8]
    • Appliances last, on average, around 13 years. If it’s been over 15 years since you went appliance shopping, keep it on your radar. [9]
  3. Electrical work is never a DIY job. If you ever need to do electrical work, hire a professional electrician. Poor wiring work and outlets that aren’t wired correctly are the second-most common cause of electrical wires, so always work with someone reputable when setting up outlets or having electrical work done. [10]
    • You can always hire an electrician to inspect the wiring of your home and let you know if there are any potential issues.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I safely enter a house or room that's on fire?
    David Decker
    Firefighting Expert
    David Decker is a Firefighting Expert based in Newark, Ohio. Assistant Chief Decker was a career firefighter for 32+ years at Newark Fire Department and served as an Assistant Chief for 14 years. As Assistant Chief, he was in charge of department operations and training. He is now the owner of Command Vision, a fire training company focusing on incident command. He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads dash-cam videos captured at fire scenes that serve as training material for fire officers who want to expand their knowledge. The channel features over 40 structure fire videos and has garnered 55k followers and more than 15 million views.
    David Decker
    Firefighting Expert
    Expert Answer
    Entering a house fire poses significant risks beyond direct burns. While you may avoid immediate injury from flames, falling debris and thick smoke can quickly incapacitate you. Falling debris, such as collapsing ceilings or walls, can cause serious harm or trap you inside the burning structure. Moreover, smoke inhalation can lead to disorientation, loss of consciousness, and even death due to toxic gases like carbon monoxide. Therefore, entering a house fire without proper training and equipment can be extremely perilous, emphasizing the critical importance of fire safety and professional firefighting protocols. If you encounter fire and smoke in your home, immediately contact your local fire station, or the police, or dial 911.
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  • Question
    How do I prevent electrical fires?
    David Decker
    Firefighting Expert
    David Decker is a Firefighting Expert based in Newark, Ohio. Assistant Chief Decker was a career firefighter for 32+ years at Newark Fire Department and served as an Assistant Chief for 14 years. As Assistant Chief, he was in charge of department operations and training. He is now the owner of Command Vision, a fire training company focusing on incident command. He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads dash-cam videos captured at fire scenes that serve as training material for fire officers who want to expand their knowledge. The channel features over 40 structure fire videos and has garnered 55k followers and more than 15 million views.
    David Decker
    Firefighting Expert
    Expert Answer
    To avoid house electrical fires, refrain from daisy-chaining outlets and plugs, which can overload circuits. Ensure that appliances and devices are not drawing too much amperage for the circuit's capacity. Adhering to these practices can mitigate the risk of electrical fires in your home.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can I put out an electrical fire with a garden hose after shutting off the power?
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    Top Answerer
    Yes, once you remove the electrical power, the remaining fire can be extinguished according to the type of fuel that is burning (e.g., wood, molten plastic).
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      Warnings

      • If the fire is large, evacuate immediately, shut off the power if possible, and call your local emergency services. Don't try to fight a large fire yourself.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      • Do not pour water on an electrical fire unless the item on fire is unplugged or the energy to your home is off. Water is conductive for electricity, and if the power is on you could end up shocking yourself. [11]
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about disaster preparedness, check out our in-depth interview with David Decker .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2022/08/26/fire-extinguisher-ratings
      2. ↑ https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/emergency-exit-routes-factsheet.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-procedures
      5. ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2022/08/26/fire-extinguisher-ratings
      6. ↑ https://www.cityfire.co.uk/news/pass-fire-extinguisher/
      7. ↑ https://rainbowrestores.com/blog/electrical-fire-smell
      8. ↑ https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/firefightingtools/articles/5-common-causes-of-electrical-fires-olFt6TUMOsWg7re2/
      9. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21018361/how-long-things-last
      1. ↑ https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/lle/who-needs-a-limited-licensed-electrician--lle--license-.html
      2. ↑ https://www.firetrace.com/fire-protection-blog/what-do-you-use-on-an-electrical-fire

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To put out an electrical fire, unplug the appliance or shut off the power to disconnect the electricity. Consider calling emergency services before putting out the fire, just in case it gets out of hand. You can smother a small fire with baking soda if you have that nearby. Use a class C or ABC fire extinguisher on larger fires by pulling the safety pin on the handle, aiming, and squeezing the handle while sweeping the nozzle from left to right. Never use water on electrical fires unless you're certain the power is off. If you want to learn how to use a fire blanket to smother the fire, keep reading the article!

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