In the event of a suspected electrical fire in the workshop, which action should be avoided to ensure safety?
Using water to extinguish the electrical fire
An electrical fire involves equipment that is still connected to a live supply, so the way it is tackled must never allow electric current to reach the person fighting it.
Water is a good conductor of electricity, and directing a stream of it onto energised equipment provides a continuous conducting path from the live parts back to the operator.
This can pass current through the body and cause a serious or fatal electric shock, and water can also spread the burning further, so applying water is the one action to be avoided.
Because the question asks what should NOT be done, using water on a live electrical fire is the unsafe choice.
Disconnecting the power supply immediately (option 2) is correct because it removes the source of energy and can make the fire far easier to control.
Evacuating when smoke increases (option 3) protects people from toxic fumes, and using an electrical-rated (Class C / CO2 or dry-powder) extinguisher (option 4) is designed for live equipment, so all three are safe, recommended actions.
Hence, the answer is Using water to extinguish the electrical fire.
Similar Questions
If a flash fire occurs during hot work, what should be the worker’s IMMEDIATE
response?Which of the following is NOT the cause of electric fire?
Which type of fire extinguisher is used for fire due to liquids?
Which fire extinguisher is suitable for live electrical fire?
Important Questions from Fire
If a flash fire occurs during hot work, what should be the worker’s IMMEDIATE
response?Which of the following is NOT the cause of electric fire?
Which type of fire extinguisher is used for fire due to liquids?
Which fire extinguisher is suitable for live electrical fire?
