- #1
Raghav Gupta
- 1,011
- 76
Well all answer this basic question by saying that water decreases the heat energy of fire, CO2 blocks O2 from reaching fire.But what about coke, higher molecular gases.
Raghav Gupta said:Well all answer this basic question by saying that water decreases the heat energy of fire, CO2 blocks O2 from reaching fire.But what about coke, higher molecular gases.
Sorry . I am talking of coke(drinkable) like Pepsi or diet coke. Gases like SO2 or there are many gases except organic ones.SteamKing said:Well, what about coke? This is a substance with a high percentage of elemental carbon, i.e., it's a fuel. No one tries to extinguish a fire by adding more fuel to it.
Which 'higher molecular gases' are you talking about? (This term is unclear)
Water extinguishes many types of fires because it 1) keeps oxygen away, and 2) it cools the burning material by absorbing heat.
However, water should not be used to extinguish a grease fire, for example, because it will disperse the burning grease, possibly creating additional fires, and because grease floats on water, which allows the fire continued access to oxygen.
The result of adding water to a grease fire is a spectacular and common demonstration at firefighting schools.SteamKing said:[ ... ]However, water should not be used to extinguish a grease fire, for example, because it will disperse the burning grease, possibly creating additional fires, and because grease floats on water, which allows the fire continued access to oxygen.
Unlike CO2, sulfur dioxide is capable of further combustion to form SO3. Sulfur oxides are also capable of forming choking fumes which can incapacitate anyone unfortunate enough to breathe these gases, even in concentrations not sufficient to asphyxiate. SO3, when it comes into contact with water or moisture, turns into sulfuric acid.Raghav Gupta said:Sorry . I am talking of coke(drinkable) like Pepsi or diet coke. Gases like SO2 or there are many gases except organic ones.
So is there any liquid other than water, a economical one which can extinguish fire and any gas for the same other than CO2? How does wind extinguish small range fire? The number 4 post of Doug Huffman did not seem so sound.SteamKing said:Unlike CO2, sulfur dioxide is capable of further combustion to form SO3. Sulfur oxides are also capable of forming choking fumes which can incapacitate anyone unfortunate enough to breathe these gases, even in concentrations not sufficient to asphyxiate. SO3, when it comes into contact with water or moisture, turns into sulfuric acid.
Soft drinks can be used to extinguish a fire in a pinch, but this is a very expensive way. Although carbonated beverages contain small amounts of dissolved CO2, when this gas comes out of solution, there is generally not enough of it to provide a sufficient displacement of oxygen to starve the fire. The water from the beverage would be the extinguishing agent.
Not a whole lot of things come to mind.Raghav Gupta said:other than water, a economical one which can extinguish fire
Nitrogen will suffocate and cool most fires. Do the job in a pinch.Raghav Gupta said:any gas for the same other than CO2?
The same way you blow out candles or matches, by cooling the flame before it can transfer heat to the fuel. That's if "range" means stove/cooking appliance. If "range" means prairie/steppe/grassland, the heat is transferred down wind to other fuel, and you've got problems.Raghav Gupta said:How does wind extinguish small range fire?
But the wind could be hot. I know it would be relatively less hot than flame but then still air which sometimes might be cooler than wind must also extinguish fire?Bystander said:The same way you blow out candles or matches, by cooling the flame before it can transfer heat to the fuel. That's if "range" means stove/cooking appliance. If "range" means prairie/steppe/grassland, the heat is transferred down wind to other fuel, and you've got problems.
Water extinguishes fire by cooling the fuel source and removing oxygen from the fire. When water is applied to a fire, it absorbs heat from the fire, causing the temperature to drop below the ignition point of the fuel. Additionally, water molecules turn into steam when heated, displacing oxygen and suffocating the fire.
CO2 is used to extinguish fires because it is a non-flammable gas that does not conduct electricity. It also has a high density, which allows it to suffocate the fire by displacing oxygen. CO2 is also effective for smothering small fires and preventing them from spreading.
Sand extinguishes fire by smothering the flames and removing oxygen. When sand is applied to a fire, it creates a barrier between the fuel source and the oxygen in the air, depriving the fire of its necessary element to continue burning. Sand is also effective for smothering small fires and preventing them from spreading.
Besides water, CO2, and sand, other materials that can be used to extinguish fires include foam, dry chemical powder, and halon gas. Foam works by creating a barrier between the fuel and the air, while dry chemical powder and halon gas work by interrupting the chemical reaction that sustains the fire.
No, water is not suitable for all types of fires. Water should not be used on electrical, grease, or oil fires as it can cause the fire to spread or create an explosion. It is important to use the appropriate type of extinguisher for the specific type of fire to avoid making the situation worse.