Lena Savoie
Alcohol fires can be extremely dangerous and challenging to extinguish. It is important to know what to do in case of an alcohol fire to ensure your safety and effectively put out the flame. Various methods can be used to extinguish an alcohol fire, and understanding the properties of alcohol and effective extinguishing techniques is crucial for handling this type of emergency situation.
What to do in case of an alcohol fire:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of water | Do not use water to extinguish an alcohol fire. Water will spread the fire and potentially aerosolize into a fireball. |
| Smothering | Smothering the fire is an effective way to extinguish it. Use a metal/glass lid/cover, a cup, pan, pot, heavy cloth, or baking soda to smother the fire. |
| Dirt | Throwing dirt on the fire can help extinguish it. |
| Fire extinguisher | A Class B fire extinguisher can be used, but be cautious as the force could knock over the container and spread the burning alcohol. |
| Evacuation | In case of a large fire, evacuate the area, pull the fire alarm, and call emergency services. |
| Prevention | Prevent spilled alcohol from igniting. Keep the area clear of children, pets, and spare fuel. |
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What You'll Learn
Don't use water
If you encounter an alcohol fire, it is important to remember not to use water to extinguish the flames. Water should not be used on alcohol fires because it can cause a dangerous splatter effect and potentially aerosolize into a fireball. This is due to the fact that when water is heated, it immediately increases in volume by 1200 times, which can cause a rapid and intense spread of the fire.
Additionally, methyl alcohol, which is commonly found in alcohol fuels, is lighter than water and will float. This means that if water is poured onto an alcohol fire, the methyl alcohol vapors will remain closer to the ground, where there is often less ventilation. In an enclosed space, such as a boat or a kitchen, these vapors can accumulate and reach a point of ignition, resulting in an explosion.
Furthermore, water is not an effective method for extinguishing alcohol fires. While it is true that alcohol is miscible in water, meaning that it will dissolve, this does not necessarily put out the fire. Spraying water may help dissolve the alcohol and reduce the intensity of the flames, but it will not completely extinguish the fire and could potentially spread it further.
Instead of using water, it is recommended to smother an alcohol fire. This can be done by using a smothering ring, which is a tool specifically designed to extinguish alcohol stove fires. Alternatively, one can use a non-flammable, heat-resistant object such as a pan, a pot, or a cup to cover the fire and deprive it of oxygen. Other materials that can be used to smother an alcohol fire include dirt, sand, baking soda, or a thick damp cloth. It is important to note that when using a damp cloth, it should be held over the fire for several minutes to allow the fire to cool down and prevent reignition.
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Use dirt or sand
If you're dealing with an alcohol fire, one of the recommended ways to extinguish it is by using dirt or sand. This method is particularly useful when dealing with alcohol-fuel spills on the ground. If you have nothing else around that could catch fire, you can also simply let the alcohol burn out. However, if there is a risk of the fire spreading, you should act quickly.
Throwing dirt or sand on the fire will smother it, cutting off the oxygen supply and preventing the fire from getting the fuel it needs to keep burning. This method can be very effective, but it may be challenging to gather enough dirt or sand to fully extinguish a fire, especially if you are unprepared. Therefore, it is recommended to have dirt and a shovel on hand before lighting a stove or starting a fire involving alcohol.
If you are dealing with a stove fire, you can also try to smother it by putting a lid, cup, pan, or pot on top of the stove to cut off the oxygen supply. A thick, damp cloth can also be used to smother the fire, but it is important to leave it in place for a few minutes to allow the fire to cool down and prevent reignition. Additionally, baking soda can be used to smother and extinguish an alcohol fire.
While dirt or sand can be effective tools for extinguishing small alcohol fires, it is important to prioritize your safety first. If the fire is too large or you are unsure of how to handle it, do not attempt to fight it yourself. Instead, evacuate the area, pull the fire alarm, and call for emergency services.
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Use a lid or thick cloth
If you are dealing with a small alcohol fire, one of the best things you can do is to smother it. This means eliminating the oxygen around the fire, thus starving it. One way to do this is to use a lid or a thick cloth. If you are dealing with a stove fire, you can simply put the lid back on the stove. If the fire is elsewhere, you can use a heavy, damp cloth to cover it. Leave the cloth in place for a few minutes after the fire has gone out, to ensure it does not reignite.
It is important to note that the type of alcohol matters when dealing with an alcohol fire. For example, methyl alcohol is lighter than water and will float, so spraying water will help dissolve it. However, ethanol is denser than water, so spraying water will not extinguish the fire. In fact, it could cause the fire to spread and potentially aerosolize into a fireball.
If you are dealing with a beaker of ethanol that has caught fire, it is not appropriate to use water, as this could spread the fire and cause burns. A fire extinguisher could also knock the beaker over, causing the burning alcohol to spread. In this case, it is best to evacuate the area and follow standard fire procedures.
If you are dealing with a small alcohol fire in a container, you can use a metal or glass lid or cover to smother the fire. This will eliminate the oxygen and put out the flames. Make sure you have an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it. If the fire is too large to handle, evacuate the area, pull the fire alarm, and call the emergency services.
It is always best to prevent alcohol fires from starting in the first place. If you are using an alcohol stove, be careful not to spill any alcohol. If you do spill some, move away from the area and let it evaporate before lighting the stove. Keep children and pets away from the stove at all times.
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Use a fire extinguisher
If you have an alcohol-based fire, it is important to know how to use a fire extinguisher to put it out safely. Firstly, it is crucial to understand that water should not be used to extinguish an alcohol fire. While water can be used to put out a fire fuelled by methyl alcohol (as this type of alcohol is lighter than water), it will spread and potentially aerosolize a fire fuelled by other types of alcohol, such as isopropanol, into a fireball.
If you have a fire extinguisher to hand, you should use it. A Class B fire extinguisher is the best type to use on an alcohol fire. Here is a step-by-step guide to using a fire extinguisher:
- Ensure that you have the correct type of fire extinguisher. As mentioned, a Class B extinguisher is suitable for alcohol fires.
- Stand a safe distance away from the fire, ideally a few feet, and pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher.
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not the flames.
- Squeeze the lever slowly, this will discharge the extinguishing agent.
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side, covering the area of the fire.
- Be thorough and continue extinguishing until the fire is completely out.
It is important to remember to aim at the base of the fire, not the flames, as this is the fuel source and needs to be cut off to stop the fire. Additionally, keep in mind that a fire extinguisher should only be used if it is safe to do so—if the fire is too large or intense, evacuate the area and call the fire department immediately.
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Evacuate and call 911
If you encounter an alcohol fire, it is important to remain calm and follow safety protocols. Here are some detailed steps to take if you encounter an alcohol fire:
- If you discover an alcohol fire, the first step is to evacuate the area immediately. Ensure you move to a safe distance away from the fire to avoid inhaling any toxic fumes or risking injury.
- During the evacuation, keep in mind that alcohol fires can be challenging to see, especially outdoors, so proceed with caution.
- Once you have reached a safe distance, call 911 or your local emergency number. Provide them with details about your location, the nature of the fire, and any potential hazards nearby.
- While waiting for emergency services to arrive, account for all individuals who were in the vicinity of the fire to ensure everyone has evacuated safely.
- If there are individuals who are injured or trapped, inform the emergency services operator, but do not attempt to rescue them yourself unless it is absolutely safe to do so.
- It is crucial to evacuate the area promptly and not waste time attempting to extinguish the fire yourself, especially if the fire is large or spreading.
Remember, your safety and the safety of those around you are the top priorities. Do not hesitate to evacuate and call for help.
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Frequently asked questions
Do not use water to extinguish an alcohol fire, as this can spread the fire and cause it to aerosolize into a fireball.
You can smother an alcohol fire with dirt, baking soda, a heavy cloth, or a lid.
If you are using an alcohol stove, you can put the lid back on or hold a thick, damp cloth over it.
If you are in a lab, follow the emergency response plan. This may include evacuating the building and calling 911.
If you are a firefighter, use alcohol-resistant (AR) foam, such as AR-AFFF foam, to extinguish the fire.
