What Is A Class C Fire? How to Prevent Class C Fire
In any fire safety program, you need to know about the different classes of fire, especially in commercial settings where electrical, chemical, or flammable liquid fires can happen. Different types of fires are fought with different procedures and need specific types of extinguishers.
Sometimes the Class C fires are referred to as electrical fires and need their own Class C fire extinguishers. Specific precautions must be taken when engaging in a Class C fire. knowing the different qualities of Class C fires and how to control and extinguish them is essential for keeping your commercial and residential buildings secure.
It will mean you choose the right fire extinguisher, as it’s a common misunderstanding that ‘any extinguisher will do’.
This is true as an incorrect extinguisher will rather cause the fire to spread with Class C fires. It comes with an increased risk to you and those around you.
So make sure you can recognize whether you’re at risk of a Class C fire, and know what you require to do.
What is the Class C Fire?
In a Class C fire, flammable gasses like propane and butane, which have been known to be highly fatal and explosive, burn. Gas canisters used in campfires, barbecues, and buildings are the most frequent producers of these gases. Even natural gasses utilized for heating and cooking have a chance to catch fire in the case of a leak and contact with fire. These fires can be caused by faulty installation, maintenance, and use of equipment, which has a high risk of danger.
Characteristics of Class C Fires
- An electrical fire that has been energized is a Class C fire. In this context, “energized” refers to being powered by a power source. A short circuit, faulty wiring, damaged power cords, overcharged electronics, or overloaded electrical outlets can all start class C fires. A Class C fire might happen in any location that has electrical wire or uses electrical equipment.
- A kitchen appliance, power panel, computer, or other electrically powered gadget may catch fire because the electrical power supplying the device works as an ongoing supply of spark or catch fire.
- Class C fires cannot be put out using water or foams including water because they can destroy the ongoing electrical spark source. Adding water to a Class C fire can spread the electricity as well as the fire’s source of ignition since water has electrical currents.
- A fire is referred to as “Class C” to separate it from Class A and Class B fires. Class A flames include those that burn wood or other fuel that can be extinguished with water, while Class B fires are such that are started by flammable substances like gasoline.
Types of Class C Fire Extinguisher
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – Reduces the oxygen from the fire, and as CO2 is cold, it also removes the heat.
Dry Chemical: It works by stopping the chemical reaction within the fire triangle.
Clean Agent: This kind of extinguisher works similarly to dry chemical extinguishers in that it utilizes halon, often referred to as halocarbon agent, to either remove heat from the fire or stop the chemical reaction in the fire triangle.
De-ionized Water Mist: This type of water is sprayed instead of streamed, which helps its cooling and soaking properties. It also doesn’t conduct electricity.
How To Stop A Class C Fire?
Therefore, you have to make sure that nothing gets damaged in any way when utilizing gas containers for any reason. Under these circumstances, you should be concerned with signs of rust or dents to avoid a Class C fire.
Use soapy water to check for leakage rather than a flame.
Making sure there are no sparks, flames, or burning embers anywhere close to the equipment is another way to stop it from starting. However, try to avoid having a lot of stuff together to keep mishaps from becoming too severe.
As long as you always hire experts to do maintenance on your gas appliances at home, everything should be right. However, if you smell gas, turn off all of your appliances right away and have a Gas Safe qualified expert examine them.
How can we effectively manage a Class C fire?
If at all possible, shut down the gas supply before continuing. A dry powder extinguisher is the only type of extinguisher that may be used properly on a Class C fire.
To put out the flames, it cools them down until it generates insufficient heat. Any other kind of extinguisher, however, is just going to spread the fuel and flames.
In addition, take care because a Class C fire can burn quickly. If you’re thinking about fighting the fire yourself, it is so risky, and stop it immediately. And the best option, in this case, is to get in touch with the fire department to put out the fire. Therefore, make sure that you use flammable gases of any kind as carefully as possible.
Additionally, always be ready with a dry powder fire extinguisher for any rise in the possibility of a Class C fire.
How to Fight a Class C Fire?
If the source of the fire is separated from the rest of the power supply, a Class C fire may develop into a Class A fire (for example, if a burning computer is removed from its electrical connection). It’s not always safe or comfortable to do this, and sometimes it’s not easy if an item has been completely removed from its power supply. When water use for a Class C fire continues to be supplied by an electric power source, dangerous or fatal outcomes could occur. When trying to put out a Class C fire using a water-based extinguisher, the firefighter faces the risk of harming himself.
For complete fire safety, it is essential to possess a Class C fire extinguisher and know how to use it properly. The only kind of fire extinguisher that is suitable for covering a fire that continues to be connected to an electrical source is class C. A Class C extinguisher may be changed with one that is appropriate for fighting Class A flames after it is known that the burning device is completely cut off from any electrical sources. However, a dry chemical fire extinguisher can often be used to put out fires of Class A, B, and C.
Fire Extinguishers For Class C Fires
An agent that can break fuel, heat, and oxygen is required to put out a Class C fire. Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers perform by removing oxygen from the flames. They also reduce the heat produced by the fire because of their extremely cold discharge. Dry chemical extinguishers function in a similar way to divide the parts of a fire. When the chemicals from a dry chemical extinguisher interfere with the oxygen and fuel’s ability to interact, the fire goes out. Monoammonium phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, or potassium chloride—all of which are useful for extinguishing Class C fires—may be found in these extinguishers.
Any kind of fire extinguisher can only put out a fire if it is utilized properly. It’s important to regularly look over fire extinguisher instructions so you know how to use them properly in the case of a fire. To make sure your fire extinguisher is in proper operating order, don’t forget to test it regularly.
Preventing Class C Fires
Preventive firefighting is the most effective technique. Make sure all of your gadgets, electrical wiring, and electrical parts are up according to standards and in good functioning condition at all times to avoid Class C fires. Avoid excessive use of connections and charging electronics improperly. Even in the best-maintained facilities, fires still happen.
Every area where an electrical fire could break out should have a modern fire extinguisher made specifically for putting out Class C flames. To ensure that you are prepared to handle anything in the case of a Class C fire, be sure you know how to use your fire safety equipment. As usual, find out the best safety measures for your building by discussing with the fire department in your area.
Conclusion
Class C fires have unique risks and challenges and remove them with unique approaches to firefighting and prevention. A complete knowledge of Class C fires, the execution of preventive measurements, and the supply of required training and help to workers, businesses, and homes. And that may effectively minimize the risks associated with these possibly dangerous incidents. In every sector of firefighting and prevention be knowledgeable, prepared, and give protection a top priority.