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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
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Rank: Super forum user
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I suppose you could say that electrical equipment once power supply has been shut off is no longer an electrical hazard so in theory you could use water on a fire. Problem there is there are so many items retaining electrical charges these days that I would not trust that theory.
I would always have CO2 extinguishers close to electrical equipment, alongside another type to cover the non electrical stuff (furniture etc.)
Has anyone seen the result of throwing water over a burning television set even with power off?
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MaxPayne wrote:http://www.fireextinguisherguide.co.uk/types-of-fire-extinguishers/water-additive-extinguishers/
Note, these are not for use directly on electrical equipment. Still red on colour so Class A fires only. End of story !
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If "Safe if accidentally used on electrical equipment" do they become unsafe if intentionally used on electrical equipment? Just don't go there !
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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.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for all the replies - glad that it doesn't seem to be only myself who is confused.....
Anyway - we've taken a conscious decision to remove the water and replace with powder and CO2 due to the overall hazard profile. This then eliminates the electrical/water hazard while fighting a fire. Appropriate training shall also be provided.
Cheers
Pete
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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.
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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.
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Tend to agree. Keep the water for paper. Powder is messy. Fine on a garage forecourt or vehicle workshop.
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Chris
No need to go technical its Friday - I know what a mess dry powder makes - I 've used then often enough
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MEden, thanks for thinking I went technical, never been there in my life before, you just made my weekend - have a good one yourself. :o)
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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.
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