What should you not use to fight a fire involving electrical equipment?

What should you not use to fight a fire involving electrical equipment?

• A. Water.
• B. Dry chemical.
• C. CO2.
• D. Foam.

Answer: (A)

When fighting a fire involving electrical equipment, the priority is to avoid any method that can conduct electricity and put you at risk of shock. Water conducts electricity, so spraying it on a live electrical fire can amp up the danger, create a path for current through you, and potentially spread the fire to other components or cause a short circuit. The safer approach is to de-energize the equipment if it’s safe to do so, then use extinguishing agents that do not conduct electricity, such as dry chemical powder or CO2. Foam is not typically the first choice for energized electrical fires unless the equipment is confirmed to be de-energized and the extinguisher is rated for electrical use.

When fighting a fire involving electrical equipment, the priority is to avoid any method that can conduct electricity and put you at risk of shock. Water conducts electricity, so spraying it on a live electrical fire can amp up the danger, create a path for current through you, and potentially spread the fire to other components or cause a short circuit. The safer approach is to de-energize the equipment if it’s safe to do so, then use extinguishing agents that do not conduct electricity, such as dry chemical powder or CO2. Foam is not typically the first choice for energized electrical fires unless the equipment is confirmed to be de-energized and the extinguisher is rated for electrical use.