Posted by DAvid on Sunday, September 22, 2002 at 0:50AM :
In Reply to: FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, use & Selection posted by Paul (in NY) on Friday, September 20, 2002 at 11:12AM :
Burning plastic insulation is class "A"??? hmmm...
Next: Water works fine on the low voltage electrical our PW's have and create, 6V,12V & 24V. It breaks the chain by cooling and smothering a few "things" burn underwater. Disconnecting the battery/shutting off the ignition is usually the best bet though as with no voltage wiring creates no heat. If other things are already flaming away D/C'ing the battery before applying water may not be possible. If water wasn't an effective A/B/C (but DEFINITELY not "D") extinguishing agent all those 100's of burning vehicles I put out with O.C.F.D.'s trusty Crown 1250GPM triple-combination pumper's 500 gallon tanks would'a burned to the ground, along with a few fuel leak/carb fires I've foolishly ignited. Up to a point a garden hose or a shovel of dirt can be your best friend. As an add note: although ineffective, a straight-stream of water on burning magnesium or aluminum from a safe distance can be highly entertaining (hehheh)