Chemical vs water fire extinguishers

[bunyip]

Weren't they originally designed for forest fires?

 

[RNeumann]

We still use a rough version of that although the bladder is on our back. It’s called an Indian Pump/Backpack pump/piss pump etc. They hold a few gallons of water and a hose that goes to a handle that you retract to spray water.
Welders, railroad etc also like having them around for a little spot fire.

 

[bunyip]

Called knapsack sprayers here, a lot of bushfires use dry fighting techniques such as the labour intensive rake hoe.

 

[oosik]

When I burn - limbs, chunks of trunk, brush, old rotten wood - I drag a garden hose out to the burn area. Its a lot better than any Class A extinguisher - more water - lasts as long as needed.

Dry/chemical extinguishers work OK for most other type fires. Only type fire I've had around here was a brush fire. Put it out with a shovel and garden hose.

 

[cqaigy2]

A couple of years back a friend bought his kid a water gun similar to these, just a slight difference.

It shoots an amazing strong stream of water a considerable distance (they claim 50' for these) and loads fast from a bucket. As soon as I saw it in action I thought it would make a great extinguisher for Class A fires.

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Hmmm, just the thing for my grandson. I'll tell him to practice on grandma.

 

[Argonne]

The most effective way to use a pressurized water extinguisher is to put your thumb over the nozzle and produce a fan shaped spray while throttling the output with the trigger handle. With a little practice, you can produce droplets or a dense mist, and in any case, far extend the amount of fire fighting potential you get from a single extinguisher. Fanning the output like that also makes it usable on class B and C fires if used carefully. Practicing the technique is also free and fun!

 

[ChiefBodie]

I will try the fan method. If you can extend the output of a 2.5g water extinguisher it could knock down a brush fire if you catch it early enough.

 

[ruffdog]

Ive got 3 of the stainless pressured h2o tanks. They refill easily and blast the water. Also, I have a 2.5 gal hand pump tank made by Flag Fire PTP-25. That is more for a shop welding fire.

 

[dadster4]

I also have C02 extinguishers that would be my first choice to avoid a big cleanup.

Unless you are talking high voltage, like 600 or higher, I would have no issue using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire. It's not the tricity that is on fire, but insulation or some such thing. Why make a huge mess with the chemicals? Extinguish the flame and shut the power off ASAP! Not suggesting anyone else should do that.

Electric current will travel through the stream of water right back THROUGH you to ground...do NOT use water on an electrical fire!

 

[cqaigy2]

Electric current will travel through the stream of water right back THROUGH you to ground...do NOT use water on an electrical fire!

How do firemen not get electrocuted?