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In the US, electrical fires are class C fires. Many fire extinguishers available are ABC extinguishers, which means they can deal with class A (material), B (li

In the US, electrical fires are class C fires. Many fire extinguishers available are ABC extinguishers, which means they can deal with class A (material), B (liquid), and C (electrical) fires. Extinguishers for class D (metal) and class K (high temperature grease/cooking oil) are not common in households.

marcinzm 5y ago
Isn't this a chemical fire not an electrical one since it's a chemical reaction in the battery that is causing the fire? The fact that normally that chemical reaction makes electricity rather than violent heat seems moot. The battery also has the oxidizer in it so an extinguisher that tries to block oxygen won't work at all.
- el_oni 5y ago
  Yes and no, the exothermic reaction ignites the electrolyte solvent, usually a blend of organic carbonates (depending on the type of battery). So it's almost a liquid fire, a chemical fire and an electrical fire all in one. It doesnt have an oxidizer, but the chemicals do contain oxygen. But ultimately there are 3 ingredients needed for a fire, fuel, oxygen and heat. An extinguisher targets two of these by cooling it down and limiting oxygen. The exothermic reaction will also slow down when cooled which will further help contain the problem
- rsstack 5y ago
  https://resources.impactfireservices.com/how-do-you-put-out-lithium-ion-battery-fire https://resources.impactfireservices.com/how-do-you-put-out-... You may be right. However, it doesn't really matter. Buy an ABC extinguisher for your kitchen and for your garage, and just use it if needed. You don't need to overthink this.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
Jeff_Brown 5y ago
Whoever FireRescue1.com is says that a class B fire extinguisher is good for a cooking oil fire, but that first (presumably more usefully) you should cover it and smother it in salt. https://www.firerescue1.com/community/articles/how-to-put-out-a-grease-fire-KDraBGaOTnYN8JPn/ https://www.firerescue1.com/community/articles/how-to-put-ou...
- kayodelycaon 5y ago
  Very small cooking oil fires, yes. :)

marcinzm 5y ago

Isn't this a chemical fire not an electrical one since it's a chemical reaction in the battery that is causing the fire? The fact that normally that chemical reaction makes electricity rather than violent heat seems moot. The battery also has the oxidizer in it so an extinguisher that tries to block oxygen won't work at all.

el_oni 5y ago
Yes and no, the exothermic reaction ignites the electrolyte solvent, usually a blend of organic carbonates (depending on the type of battery). So it's almost a liquid fire, a chemical fire and an electrical fire all in one. It doesnt have an oxidizer, but the chemicals do contain oxygen. But ultimately there are 3 ingredients needed for a fire, fuel, oxygen and heat. An extinguisher targets two of these by cooling it down and limiting oxygen. The exothermic reaction will also slow down when cooled which will further help contain the problem
rsstack 5y ago
https://resources.impactfireservices.com/how-do-you-put-out-lithium-ion-battery-fire https://resources.impactfireservices.com/how-do-you-put-out-... You may be right. However, it doesn't really matter. Buy an ABC extinguisher for your kitchen and for your garage, and just use it if needed. You don't need to overthink this.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]

Jeff_Brown 5y ago

Whoever FireRescue1.com is says that a class B fire extinguisher is good for a cooking oil fire, but that first (presumably more usefully) you should cover it and smother it in salt. https://www.firerescue1.com/community/articles/how-to-put-out-a-grease-fire-KDraBGaOTnYN8JPn/ https://www.firerescue1.com/community/articles/how-to-put-ou...

kayodelycaon 5y ago
Very small cooking oil fires, yes. :)