In the panic and chaos that follows a fire breaking out, your first thought and only focus will no doubt be on how to put the fire out as fast as you can before it spreads. You will want to reach for the first fire extinguisher you see, because after all, fire extinguishers are there for that purpose.
However, you have to be very careful when picking a fire extinguisher to put out any fire. Using the wrong fire extinguisher has serious ramifications, as highlighted below.
1. Ineffective Results
While water fire extinguishers are perfect for wood and paper-fuelled fires, the same cannot be said of when you use the same extinguishers on oil-fuelled fires. The extinguisher will be ineffective and will do nothing to suppress the fire for the simple reason that oil and water do not mix.
There are different classes of fires, and for each class, there is a specific fire extinguisher that is best suited to suppress the fire effectively. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher on a certain class of fire may only lead to frustration because it will be ineffective.
2. The Situation Made Worse
By using the wrong fire extinguishers, you could end up feeding the fire instead of suppressing it and putting it out. The fire will only grow bigger and more dangerous, and keep spreading to other areas.
3. Damage To Property
Think of spaces with high-value electrical and electronic equipment, such as a computer room or a server centre. Using fire extinguishers on such equipment will cause significant damage to the various components because exposure to water can lead to short-circuiting.
Similarly, using both wet chemical and dry powder fire extinguishers for fires in such a setting will leave a residue on the electrical and electronic component. This layer of residue will corrode the equipment, leaving you to deal with costly damages.
4. A Potential Risk To Life
If you try to put out an electrical fire with a water-based fire extinguisher, you will be putting yourself and those around you at great risk. You can easily get electrocuted because water is very conductive. Because of the chemical composition, foam extinguishers are also not a great choice for certain instances, particularly in small confined spaces with insufficient ventilation.
For effective results, and safety considerations, always choose the right fire extinguisher for the different types of fires. As highlighted, failure to do so can have some consequences that are far more serious than the original fire.
