Fires involving volatile flammable liquids need the right equipment to be deployed quickly. This type of fire can become dangerously out of control in seconds. Environments such as fuel station forecourts and fuel storage areas need the right petrol fire extinguishers.
Our guide looks at what extinguishers are needed to deal with fire risk from volatile flammable liquids like diesel, oil, and petrol.
Petrol Fire Class
Petrol fires are rated Class B – this means they involve flammable liquids. The other fuel sources in the group include diesel, oils, solvents, and paints.
What Fire Extinguisher for Petrol?
There are 3 different types of extinguisher suitable to tackle a petrol fire. Dry powder, foam, and CO2.
All of the extinguishers suited to tackling burning petrol work by creating a barrier between the burning fuel and oxygen.
The setting in which the fuel is stored, and other fire risks nearby will determine which extinguisher is best to use.
ABC Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers
ABC dry powder extinguishers are suitable to quickly tackle petrol fires. This type of extinguisher is often present on petrol forecourts and can be used to put out flammable liquid fires.
Dry powder extinguishers put out petrol fires by creating a barrier on top of the burning petrol which starves the fire of oxygen. This type of extinguisher should not be used in enclosed spaces, so they may not be suitable for use in enclosed fuel stores.
Dry powder extinguishers are also suitable for use on: Class C fires involving flammable gases and Class A fires (solid combustibles).
Foam Fire Extinguishers
Foam fire extinguishers can be used for petrol fires.
A foam extinguisher puts out a petrol fire by forming a layer on top of the flammable liquid. This puts out the fire by cutting off the supply of oxygen from the fire, and cooling the temperature of the ignited petrol.
The barrier created by the foam helps ensure the fire does not reignite. It prevents the vapours rising up from the petrol and creating a new ignition source for a secondary fire.
Foam fire extinguishers can also be used on paper, wood, and fabric fires (Class A).
CO2 Fire Extinguishers
C02 Extinguishers are most commonly used on electrical fire risks.
However, they can also be used to extinguish fires involving petrol and other flammable liquids. In areas such as petrol station forecourts, there can be a lot of electrical equipment present.
CO2 fire extinguishers are not suitable to use on burning gasses, or solid combustibles.
What Extinguisher Should Not be Used on Petrol?
A water extinguisher should never be used in response to a petrol fire, or a fire involving any flammable liquid.
Petrol is lighter than water, which means that it will float on top of the water and continue burning. In many cases, applying water to flammable liquid will spread the fire further instead of containing the flames.
See Also: UK Fire Extinguisher Colours – how to identify extinguishers via their labels.
How to Put Out a Petrol Fire
Petrol is very volatile flammable substance. You should only tackle a petrol fire when it is relatively small, and if it is safe to do so.
If there is a large amount of fuel which may ignite, or the fire is well established, retreat to a safe distance and call the fire brigade.
If it is safe to tackle a small petrol fire you should maintain a safe distance and:-
- Pull the pin from the fire extinguisher.
- Aim the nozzle at a vertical surface near the fire rather than directly at the flames. The aim is to create a layer on top of the burning liquid.
- Squeeze the handle slowly.
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side until the fire is out.
You should aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, and make sure you do not attempt to tackle the blaze with water.
Tiny amounts of burning petrol can be extinguished using a bucket of sand. This is also used in petrol stations to make small fuel spills safe.
How to Prevent Petrol Fires
If you have to store petrol and other flammable liquids in your workplace or business, fire prevention strategies are vital.
You should conduct a workplace fire risk assessment and make sure you take all steps to minimise the possibility of fire.
Common steps to take include:-
- Ensuring proper ventilation – petrol vapours can build up in enclosed spaces if there is a leak or spill, creating an ignition risk. Make sure vapours cannot become concentrated by ensuring good air movement in the area where petrol is being stored.
- Remove ignition sources – Small sparks from electrical equipment or industrial processes, hot surfaces, and naked flames are all potential ignition sources. Make sure ignition risks are removed from petrol storage areas.
- Use proper storage containers – Proper storage containers such as flammable liquid cabinets and COSHH cupboards mean liquids are safely stored and leaks contained.
- Manage your storage area – store petrol and other flammable substances in a secure storage area. Separation with a barrier, or placing flammable liquids well away from possible ignition sources creates a safer work environment.
- Be familiar with HSE guidelines – be familiar with HSE rules on the storage of flammable liquids. Dangerous substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). Make sure you are compliant.
FAQs
Water should never be used on petrol or diesel fires. Using a water extinguisher can spread the flames further. Many flammable liquids are lighter than water and will simply float on the surface of water and continue burning.
Despite being commonly used for electrical fires, CO2 extinguishers can put out petrol fires. If a fire involves a lot of electronics and burning fuel, this can be the best device to fight the fire. For example, fires at petrol stations around fuel pumps.
