Using demineralised water to put out electrical fires

There are plenty of benefits of using deionised water, as it supplies one of the purest forms of H20 available. One such benefit can be seen when it is applied to extinguishing fires.

Many may not know this, but ordinary water is not safe for extinguishing electrical fires. This is because it contains large amounts of minerals, which are conductive. As a result, using ordinary H20 can expose you or the person trying to contain the fire to electrocution, which might prove fatal. Even if it is not fatal, being electrocuted can have long term effects.

If you have looked at certain cautionary signs, labelled on some fire extinguishers and walls, you will notice that they warn against using water in the event of a fire. Not only do such signs discourage the use of ordinary H20, but also other kinds of flame retardants such as foam in some cases.

Seeing as water, by itself, isn’t conductive, removing the minerals can make it safer for putting out electrical flames and heat. This is why demin water can be used in cases of electrical fire outbreaks. Although this is the case, it requires technical know-how to use a deionised water system to contain an outbreak.

Demineralised water isn’t just applied directly over the flames; it’s is sprayed over the heat as mist. This ensures that no water splashes back at the person trying to put it out, or it doesn’t help to spread the flames in some cases.

Although demin water can be used to put out certain flames, it’s not a jack of all trades. For example, in instances where the fire is graded as Class B outbreak, which is a fire aided by liquid and gas, the use of any kind of water can help to spread the flammable liquid instead of contain it.

What to do in case of a fire

While you can use deionised water to put out certain fires, your first action must be to contact the fire department and provide details of the outbreak, i.e. it’s an electrical fire. Thereafter, you and your colleagues or family must evacuate the building immediately, using the instructions provided in your fire drills to guide you out.

If you can, try to shut off the main breakers. Do not try this if the fire is too close to the power source, your hands are wet, or if switching it off presents a direct danger to you and others around. If there is a Class-C extinguisher, and the flames are containable, use that. Don’t use any other kind of extinguisher.

If there is no other alternative to extinguish the flames and the fire is small enough, you can use sodium bicarbonate, e.g. baking soda. If the flames are uncontrollable, don’t try to contain them. Rather evacuate the building immediately, following your exit with roll call to ensure no one has been left behind.