Not all fire extinguishers are created equal—especially when dealing with electrical fires. Knowing which extinguisher to use, and how to identify it by colour code, could mean the difference between a quick response and disaster.
In the event of a fire, you’ll need to act quickly, but you’ll also need to make the right choice of fire extinguisher to avoid making matters far worse.
The following blog post will look into electrical fires and what colour code is displayed on an electrical fire extinguisher. Continue reading to find out everything that you need to know.
What Counts as an Electrical Fire? Common Causes Explained
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it is a fire which involves any electrical equipment. This can be anything from a television to a stereo, or a computer to a fuse box. It is very important that you make the correct choice when it comes to this type of fire. Otherwise, you could escalate the fire into something which is way beyond your control.
Never under any circumstances should you consider using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire. This is because water conducts electricity, and so electrocution may occur. It also increases the risk of the fire spreading even further.
Best Fire Extinguishers for Electrical Fires: CO2 vs Powder
When it comes to extinguishing an electrical fire, it is safe to say that a CO2 fire extinguisher is the most effective. This is because it penetrates the spaces in equipment very easily and so helps to avoid reignition of the fire. A CO2 extinguisher works by effectively ‘suffocating’ the fire by removing oxygen in the air.
An added benefit of CO2 extinguishers is that they leave no residue behind after use. This means that it is one of the cleanest extinguishers compared with the likes of foam fire extinguishers.
The multi-purpose powder extinguisher may also be used on live electrical equipment. However, it is worth noting that reignition may occur as powder extinguishers are often less effective than CO2 extinguishers, as well as being corrosive to sensitive electronics.
Identifying Electrical Fire Extinguishers by Colour Code
As previously mentioned, a CO2 extinguisher is undoubtedly the best choice when it comes to putting out an electrical fire. To identify a CO2 extinguisher, simply look out for the black colour code in a strip around the top of the fire extinguisher. Alternatively, a dry powder extinguisher features a blue colour code at the top.
Final Tips on Using the Right Extinguisher for Electrical Fires
Knowing what colour code is displayed on an electrical fire extinguisher will most definitely be useful should you ever come across an electrical fire. With this knowledge at your disposal, you’ll be able to effectively tackle this particular class of fire should one ever occur.
However, just remember that you should only attempt to put out an electrical fire if it doesn’t put yours or anyone else’s safety at risk. If a fire is beyond your control, the best thing you can do is ensure that you and those around you are safe, and of course alert the fire brigade as quickly as possible.
Stay safe around electrical equipment with the right fire extinguisher. Explore our range of CO2 fire extinguishers now, take a look at our FAQS, or contact our expert team for advice.
