When a fire is in its early stages, it can still be limited enough that you can put it out with a fire blanket or fire extinguisher close at hand. If you can quickly recognize the type of fire you are dealing with, you have a greater chance of not only putting it out, but also of doing so without risking injury. However, remember that the most important thing of all is the safety of everyone around you, including yourself. If the fire is spreading rapidly, a lot of smoke is forming, or you see that it takes more than five seconds to put it out with a fire extinguisher, then you need to evacuate the building and call 115.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Put out an Electrical Fire
Step 1. Prevent a fire from occurring upstream
Most fires caused by electrical failures result from faulty wiring or poor plant maintenance. To stop this type of fire before it develops, you must not overload the electrical sockets and you must be sure that the electrical work has been carried out in accordance with the law by a professional electrician.
- It also prevents electrical systems from filling up with dust, trash and cobwebs if you don't want fires to start.
- It can also be helpful to try to use GFCI switches and fuses as often as possible, as these are simple precautions but they can stop a possible fire in the bud caused by an increase in power.
Step 2. Turn off the electrical system
If a system starts to produce sparks or a fire starts from a wire, an appliance or a socket, cutting off the power to the system is the first and best gesture to take. If the source is just sparking and the flame is not yet fully spread, this single step may be enough to avoid the flames.
- You have to turn off the electricity to the electrical panel instead of turning off the switch on the wall connected to the socket.
- If the problem comes with wiring or an appliance, you don't just have to unplug the device. The electrical problem that occurs could very well cause an electric shock as well.
Step 3. Use a class C fire extinguisher if you cannot eliminate the cause of the fire upstream
The type of fire extinguisher suitable in this situation completely depends on whether or not the electricity causing the fire can be interrupted. If you do not know where the switch is, the electrical panel is blocked or you notice that accessing it takes too long, you must use a class C fire extinguisher. This type of fire extinguisher can be either carbon dioxide (CO2) based or dry. and must clearly state on the label that it is "class C".
- To use the fire extinguisher, remove the safety that prevents you from pressing the handle, point the dispenser at the base of the fire and keep the handle pressed. When you see the flames recede a bit, you can get closer and continue spraying until the fire goes out completely.
- If you can't put it out with the fire extinguisher within five seconds, then the fire is too big. In this case, move away to a safe place and call the fire brigade (115).
- Since the faulty wiring is still powered in this case, the fire may reignite. The best thing would be to turn off the voltage at the source as soon as possible.
- It is important to use a class C fire extinguisher because it contains non-conductive substances. A class A one contains only highly pressurized water, which conducts electricity and can generate electrocution hazards.
- Another way to recognize CO2 and chemical powder extinguishers is their red color (water-based ones are generally silver in color). The CO2 ones also have a hard nozzle at the tip instead of a simple tube and do not have a pressure gauge.
Step 4. Use a class A or powder extinguisher if the electricity is disconnected
If you can completely cut off the electrical current at the source, you have effectively changed the fire class from C to the standard type. In this case, you can use a class A water fire extinguisher in addition to those listed above.
Class A fire extinguishers and multipurpose powder extinguishers, in fact, are more recommended in this context, because CO2 ones run a higher risk that the fire may continue to burn and reignite once the carbon dioxide has dissipated. Additionally, CO2 fire extinguishers can cause breathing problems in confined spaces such as homes or small offices
Step 5. Use a fire blanket to smother the fire
As an alternative to fire extinguishers, a fire blanket is also fine to dampen the flames, but you can only use it if you are able to completely turn off the power supply at the source. Although wool (most fire blankets are chemically treated wool) is a good insulator from electricity, you must not get too close to the source of the flames: you risk being electrocuted if the electricity is left on.
- To use a fire blanket, take it out of its packaging, open it wide in front of you protecting your hands and body while standing behind it, and spread it over the small flames. Do not throw it on the fire.
- Not only is it very effective when the fire is still in its early stages, but it does not cause damage to the area or to surrounding objects.
Step 6. Use water to put out the fire
If you don't have any kind of fire extinguisher or a fire blanket available, use water; however, only use it if you are 100% certain that you have turned off the general electricity meter. Otherwise you risk not only being electrocuted, but also spreading electricity everywhere, which can spread the fire even faster. Throw water at the base of the flames.
The water that you can take from the sink is only effective if the fire is very small and contained. If not, keep in mind that it can spread faster than you are able to turn off
Step 7. Call 115
Even if you have managed to put out the fire it is important to call the fire brigade, as some objects reduced to embers could rekindle the flames, while the rescue service is able to isolate and completely eliminate all risks.
Method 2 of 3: Put out a Fire Caused by Flammable Oil / Liquids
Step 1. Shut off the fuel supply
Where possible, the first thing to do when there is a fire involving flammable liquids is to remove the source that triggers the flames. For example, if a static discharge ignites petrol around a dispenser, the first thing to do is to press the emergency valve located near all the pumps. This way you separate the small fire from the nearby large fuel source.
In many cases where flammable liquid is the only source of combustion, the fire goes out as soon as you stop supplying it
Step 2. Use a fire blanket to smother the fire
You can also use it on relatively small Class B fires. If you have one that is easily accessible, this may be the easiest and least harmful way to put out the flames.
- To use a fire blanket, remove it from its packaging, open it wide in front of you protecting your hands and body from behind, and spread it over the small flames. Do not throw it on the fire.
- Make sure the fire is small enough to be smothered by the blanket. If, for example, oil catches fire in a pan, it is small enough and the fire blanket can cover it.
Step 3. Use a class B fire extinguisher
As with fires originating from electricity, water-based fire extinguishers (class A) must not be used for fires caused by flammable liquids or oils. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and powder extinguishers are classified as class B. Check the label on the extinguisher and make sure it says "class B" before using it on a fire caused by flammable liquid.
- To use the fire extinguisher, remove the safety that prevents you from pressing the handle, point the dispenser at the base of the fire and keep the handle pressed. When you see the flames recede a bit, you can get closer and continue spraying until the fire goes out completely.
- If you can't put out the fire with the extinguisher within five seconds, then the fire is too big. In this case, go to a safe place and call 115.
- The only exception to this rule is when fire from vegetable oils or animal fats is formed in large commercial deep fryers and other restaurant equipment. The large size, extreme heat and abundance of fuel of these machines makes them fall within the classification for class K fire extinguishers. Restaurants with this type of equipment are required by law to keep a class K fire extinguisher.
- Do not throw water on fire caused by flammable oils or liquids. The water does not mix with the oil and when these substances are combined, the oil remains on the surface of the water. The water boils and turns into steam very quickly, making the situation very dangerous. Since the water is at the bottom of the oily substance, as it boils and evaporates, it splashes burning drops of oil everywhere. This way it spreads the fire very quickly.
Step 4. Call 115
Even if you have managed to put out the fire, it is important to call the fire brigade, as some burning objects could reignite the flames, while the rescue service is able to isolate and completely eliminate all hazards.
Method 3 of 3: Put out an Organic Fire
Step 1. Use a fire blanket to put out the fire
If the fuel source for the fire is a flammable solid material, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, plastic, and so on, then it is class A fire. Using a fire blanket is a quick and easy way. to smother such a fire in its early stages. In fact, the blanket deprives the fire of oxygen, which thus is no longer able to burn.
To use a fire blanket, remove it from its packaging, open it wide in front of you protecting your hands and body from behind, and spread it over the small flames. Do not throw it on the fire
Step 2. Use a class A fire extinguisher
If you don't have a fire blanket available, you can use a class A fire extinguisher. Make sure the label clearly says "class A".
- To use the fire extinguisher, aim it at the base of the flames and direct the spray back and forth across the fire until it goes out.
- If you can't put out the fire with the extinguisher within five seconds, then it means that the fire is too big. In this case, go to a safe place and call 115.
- Only class A fire extinguishers are typically silver in color and have a pressure gauge to indicate the water pressure inside; however, many multipurpose powder extinguishers are also suitable for class A fires.
- You can use a carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher for this type of fire if it is the only type of fire extinguisher you have, but it is not recommended. Objects that fall into this category tend to burn for a long time and the fire could easily reignite once the CO2 is dissipated.
Step 3. Use lots of water
A specific class A fire extinguisher basically consists of pressurized water, so you can safely use large amounts of water from a sink, if that's the only thing you have available. Obviously if you see the fire spreading faster than you are able to put out or if it is causing too much smoke and you are not safe, then you need to walk away and call the fire brigade.
Step 4. Call 115
Either way, with any kind of fire, you can call the fire brigade, even if you manage to put out the flames. Rescuers intervene so that the fire has no chance to reignite.
Advice
- If you're using a fire blanket, be sure to keep it over the flames for at least fifteen minutes or until all the heat has dissipated.
- Familiarize yourself with the types of fire extinguishers you have at home and in the office. The quicker you can get to the fire extinguisher suitable for that type of fire, the more likely you are to put it out in its early stage.
- Familiarize yourself with the location of the general electrical panel in your home and office. In the event of a fire, you must be able to reach it as quickly as possible and turn off the power source.
- Always call 115, even if you have successfully put out the fire.
Warnings
- This article is intended to be a general guide to trying to put out very small fires in their early stages. Follow these instructions at your own risk and pay close attention whenever a fire occurs.
- If you suspect a gas leak, open the windows, evacuate the environment and call 115 immediately. If possible, cut off the electricity supply, as even a spark from a light switch could cause an explosion. Natural gas is highly flammable and can fill rooms quickly. If it ignites, the fire causes an explosion and it will never be limited enough to be able to manage it without the intervention of the fire brigade.
- Whenever you can't put out the fire with the extinguisher within five seconds, it means that the fire is too big. The fire extinguisher will likely run out before you can dampen it. Leave the place, go to a safe place and call for help.
- Be careful not to inhale the smoke, as it is extremely dangerous. If the fire gets to the point where it produces a lot of smoke, leave immediately and call 115.
- Your life is the priority. Move away if the fire has spread and there is little chance of putting it out by normal means, e don't waste time recovering your belongings. It is essential to be timely.
