What fire extinguishers are used to extinguish electrical wiring?
What is the rulebook talking about?
First of all, we turn a little to theory and provide you with a set of rules of the joint venture 9.13130. 2009, which states the following:
- Powder extinguishers can extinguish electrical equipment up to 1000v.
- Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are allowed to extinguish electrical installations under voltage up to 10,000 V (10 kV).
- If the content of water vapor in carbon dioxide exceeds 0.006%, and the length of the fire extinguishing agent is less than 3 meters, carbon dioxide can only be used to extinguish electrical equipment up to 1 kV.
Everything seems to be clear, but what nuances should be taken into account when extinguishing electrical appliances and electrical installations? This is not particularly written about in the codes of practice or in the EMP. That is why we will talk in more detail about what types of fire extinguishers are allowed to use to extinguish the wiring or even the switchboard.
Overview of Existing Tools
Foam and water
If the electrical installation is not energized, then with special permission it is permissible to extinguish a fire using water or foam type fire extinguishers (series OVP, OHP, OV). This permission is given by the dispatcher of the power supply network where the accident occurred. The reason the dispatcher must give permission is the apparent break in the cable line that supplies the ignited electrical equipment.
In other cases, water and foam fire extinguishers cannot be used to extinguish an electrical appliance, especially when energized.
Powder
If the ignition occurred on a section of the mains with a voltage of up to 1000 V (for example, ignition of an electrical panel), then you can extinguish the wiring with a powder fire extinguisher. Such tools quickly knock down the flame, because a layer of inert powder prevents the ingress of oxygen to the ignition site of electrical equipment. OP series fire extinguishers are especially effective in extinguishing burning insulation in an electrical installation. It should also be noted that the powder type of products can be used even under voltage, if it is not higher than 1 kV.
Carbon dioxide
Well, the OU series carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are considered the most effective for extinguishing electrical equipment and electrical appliances.The elimination of the flame occurs due to the low temperature of the fire extinguishing substance, which will not only bring down the fire, but also cool the smoldering sections of the insulation. Of the disadvantages of carbon dioxide, only harmful evaporation of this substance can be noted. That is why it is forbidden to extinguish electrical installations in enclosed spaces.
As for the advantages compared to means of the type of OP, the following can be distinguished:
- Carbon dioxide leaves no residue after evaporation and at the same time does not damage the ignited electrical equipment. This is especially important when extinguishing computer equipment or a lit television. Why, and so it is clear.
- Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers can extinguish electrical installations with voltages up to 10,000 volts (10 kV).
To summarize
So we examined what kind of fire extinguishers extinguish electrical installations and electrical equipment. If the issue of eliminating the fire arose in your home, where the voltage can be no more than 380 Volts (0.4 kV), you must turn off the electricity, and then use either a powder or carbon dioxide type of product.
In the case of extinguishing switchboards under a voltage of up to 10 kV, we strongly recommend that you first try to turn off the power, and then proceed to eliminate the source of flame. There are frequent cases when during the extinguishing of electrical installations under voltage an accident occurs - a person is shocked. One of the reasons for the defeat is the occurrence of an electric arc from electrical equipment with damaged insulation.
And finally, to summarize which fire extinguishers can extinguish electricity at various voltages:
- 400 Volts (0.4 kV) - powder, carbon dioxide, freon, water and foam (the last two in the absence of power at the emergency site).
- 1000 Volts (up to 1 kV) - powder and carbon dioxide.
- 10000 Volts (up to 10 kV) - carbon dioxide.
We also recommend watching a video lesson, which clearly shows how electrical installations and electrical equipment are extinguished:
Interesting to read:
kilovolts indicate kV 10,000 volts = 10 kV, not kW
There was a typo, corrected. Thank you for your attention!
Thank you very much, the article put everything in order in my head. Only the video lesson failed to load.
The video does not say about bots. Bots are shown, but nothing is said about them! In order not to fall under the voltage of the “step”, bots are used.
Also follow the current instructions at your facility. We have an indication here that to extinguish electrical installations above 1000 volts only with a removed voltage. Naturally, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.
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