I've carried out a fire risk assessment of an area of premises as the Responsible Person under RRFSO and have been confronted with water fire extinguishers provided by the landlord (though recharged to our cost). The main fire hazard in this area relates to electrical equipment. When asked why water extinguishers, I've been given the response of "they are water extinguishers with an additive and a spray nozzle which are suitable for fighting electrical fires as have passed a conductivity discharge test and can be used on electrical risks up to 35kv". Has anyone else come across this before? It doesn't 'feel' right using water on a burning electrical item!! Cheers Pete

Pete/. Have a look at the link below. http://www.afpwales.com/..._fire_extinguishers.html I think the key word in the description is "accidentally". Not sure that I would like to use these on electrical equipment that has caught light. Andy

Still red on colour so Class A fires only. End of story !

The AFFF extinguishers that we have, are rated for ACCIDENTAL release on electrical kit (which is no bad thing in most offices which are full of the stuff) but they are NOT intended for fighting fires specifically involving electrical kit.

Good decision to provide CO2, but I would be wary of powder? It makes one heck of a mess and is difficult to clean up.

MEden yes but the fire will make its damage, we should try to reduce the damage from our efforts to contain/extinguish the fire. Powder is very good for car engine fires as it tries to get everywhere, that's the problem in an office situation where the fire may not involve the computers but the powder certainly will. A Water extinguisher can be directed toward a burning waste paper bin, desk/chair/curtains etc. and has cooling properties. powder will spread everywhere and has no cooling properties, it just clings on where it can.

Chris No need to go technical its Friday - I know what a mess dry powder makes - I 've used then often enough

Distilled water is non conductive. Water contaminated with dirt, dust etc is. Switch off the electricity first if you can. Sounds like a bit of a 'one size fits all' to me and of great cheapness. TV sets retain a high voltage within after mains power has been lost so neve a good plan to soak these things Will the person holding the unit be aware that the fire is electrical in nature or will they just see flames? Even the fire service have to investigate the origins of fires. If a PC etc is in flames then fine but if it is known to be electrical why pick up one of these in the first place.