The basics of common sense: why you can not put out electrical appliances with water?

Firefighters and electricians unanimously say: extinguishing electrical appliances with water is strictly prohibited! This is due to the ability of water to conduct electricity, which creates a risk of electric shock. There are other ways to extinguish burning wiring and electrical appliances. We understand how to act correctly in case of fires caused by a short circuit.

What happens if you fill the burning device with water?

Fire is a rapidly spreading disaster, in the event of which it is necessary to act swiftly. But rush and stress often lead to thoughtless and impulsive actions - a person grabs the first water tank that comes across (a vase of flowers, a bottle of drinking water, a mug of tea) and pours it onto a burning electrical wiring. Such an action will instantly lead to the most sad consequences.

From the course of physics, we know that water (in most cases) is a solution of various salts. These salts are in solution in the form of charged particles - ions. The presence of ions makes water (as well as tea, coffee, various liquids based on water) an electrolyte - a substance that conducts electric current.

Water entering the combustion zone will cause the following consequences:

• In a short time, while the jet connects the hands of a person who is putting out the fire, and the bare wires from the fire, the current can cause electrical injury that is dangerous to life and health. The risk is increased if the container is made of conductive materials (e.g. metal), hands are wet, etc.
• Once inside the device, water will flow through the wires, causing more and more short circuits, which increases the risk of a complete failure of the entire system. So, pouring water on a lit switch cabinet, an inexperienced firefighter will destroy those devices that have not yet been damaged by a flame.

That is why it is allowed to extinguish with water only those electrical appliances about which it is reliably known that they are de-energized.

If water was flooded with a lighted electrical device that was disconnected from the mains only by equipment (switches, circuit breakers, etc.), but not physically disconnected from it, there is a risk of bypassing the current in the flooded areas. Then some parts of the device may suddenly be under current.

Correct action on fire

First of all, it is necessary to take all measures to de-energize burning electrical appliances. There are several ways to do this:

• Unplug the appliance from the socket. Doing this is allowed only provided that the flame on the insulation on the plug, socket, and the nearest sections of the wire is not damaged.
• Turn off the machine that supplies the line (or the circuit breaker that supplies electricity to the room where the fire occurred).
• Cut an ax with a cable or wire through which electricity is supplied to a burning device.

Note that the instrument can be connected to a UPS or a backup power source. Then it will remain energized even after turning off the main line.

If it is impossible to de-energize the line on which the ignition occurred, for some reason, they begin to extinguish the fire with non-conductive means. If necessary, evacuation and notification of the fire service are also carried out.

How to put out electrical appliances and wiring?

There are several safe methods for extinguishing burning wiring or electrical devices:

• Filling the hearth of the sand with sand. The main thing is that the material is not wet.
• The use of powder fire extinguishers. This product is safe for extinguishing appliances powered up to 1 kV.
• OU-series carbon dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish the ignition of installations powered by voltage from 1 to 10 kV.

Extinguishing a fire with carbon dioxide poses additional hazards. First of all, carbon dioxide creates a large amount of non-combustible gases (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide). These products are toxic to humans and in high concentrations are deadly. Therefore, it is allowed to extinguish with such a fire extinguisher only foci located in large rooms.

To minimize the risk of electric shock, it is necessary to stand so that between the bell of the fire extinguisher and the source there is at least 3 m of space. When extinguishing a device powered up to 1 kV, the safe distance is 1 m.

In addition, upon release, carbon dioxide instantly cools. Therefore, if a jet gets on the skin, there is a risk of frostbite. Holding the bell of the fire extinguisher with your bare hand is also unsafe.

Extinguishing electrical wiring, power lines, electrical appliances and installations with water, foam and water-foam compositions is strictly prohibited!

Firefighting is a process that requires skills developed before automatism and a calm mind. To be sure of the safety of your home, purchase a safe fire extinguisher (class “E”) in advance and teach all family members how to use it.