All fire extinguishers mainly feature a red colour scheme, but not all of them serve the same purpose. Therefore, it is very important that you have the correct fire safety knowledge so that you will make the right choices in an emergency.
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 Is an Electrical Fire?
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.
Which Extinguisher to Use for an Electrical Fire?
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 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.
What Colour Code Is Displayed on an Electrical Fire Extinguisher?
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.
Conclusion
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.
If you or your business are in need or just interested in learning more about CO2 fire extinguishers and tackling electrical fires, browse our range of fire extinguishers, take a look at our FAQs, or get in touch with our expert team.