Firefighting - Asphyxiating A Fire

Asphyxiating A Fire

In some cases, the use of water is undesirable:

  • some chemical products react with water and produce poisonous gases, or even burn in contact with water (e.g., sodium);
  • some products float on water, e.g., hydrocarbons (gasoline, oil, alcohol, etc.); a burning layer can then spread and extend;
  • in case of a pressurised fuel tank, it is necessary to avoid heat shocks that may damage the tank: the resulting decompression may produce a BLEVE;
  • electrical fires where water would act as a conductor.

It is then necessary to asphyxiate the fire. This can be done in different ways:

  • some chemical products react with the fuel and stop the combustion;
  • a layer of water-based fire retardant foam is projected on the product by the fire hose, to keep the oxygen in air separated from the fuel;
  • carbon dioxide.

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