Fire safety is also an important element in safeguarding lives, property and workplaces. Although it is not a secret that most individuals are aware of the typical types of fire that involve wood or flammable liquids, a small number of them know about the hazards of electrical fire. The classification of these fires is different due to the peculiar risks that they have. Here in this blog, we will discuss what is a Class C fire, how it is started and why it is dangerous and the best way to prevent and act upon it
Understanding Fire Classes
To be able to fight fires efficiently, it is necessary to learn that not every fire is the same. There are also various classes which are defined according to the kind of fuel. As an example, Class A fires are those in which the combustibles such as wood and paper are regular, whereas Class B fires are those where the flammable liquid such as gasoline or oil are found.
Class C fires are however specifically linked to energized electrical equipment. These fires are particularly dangerous due to the existence of live electricity, and a special care should be taken when approaching it.
What Is a Class C Fire?
A Class C fire is a fire that deals with electrically energized equipment. This can be anything which is plugged in, wired into a building or anything that is linked to a power supply. Class C fire is determined not by the material burning, but by the fact that it is currently passing through the equipment and electricity is flowing when the fire occurs.
The fire can technically be a Class A or Class B fire once the power is turned off and it is happening with what materials are under fire. Nonetheless, the equipment in question is classified as Class C and therefore should be treated with a lot of care provided it is still energized.
What Is an Example of a Class C Fire?
One can easily conceptualize this kind of fire by considering a real life situation. What is a class c fire? Consider the case of a computer server that is overheating because of improper wiring, which sparks off insulation, and the equipment is still plugged and power is being consumed. Since the electrical equipment used is energized, the fire is categorized as a Class C fire.
Other frequent instances are a fire around electrical panels, overloaded power strip, faulty appliances or damaged extension cords that remain attached to some power source.
Common Causes of Electrical Fires
The causes of class C fires are usually associated with issues that can be missed until the time when it is already too late. The causes most frequently encountered are:
- Poor wiring design/upkeep or improper installation of wiring may spark and overheat.
- Overloaded circuits: It is possible to overload an outlet and create too much heat.
- Defective appliances: Appliances that have internal faults or have deteriorating elements can be ignited.
- Inadequate maintenance: Accumulation of dust in electrical appliances or absence of regular maintenance inspection poses fire hazards.
- Misuse of extension cords: The misuse of an extension cord that is not rated to handle the electrical load may cause overheating.
The first step towards prevention is understanding of these causes.
Why Class C Fires Are So Dangerous
Electrical fires are not only dangerous in terms of flames and smoke. The greatest danger is the danger of electrocution. When water or any other conductive substances are used on energized fire, they may cause severe injury or death.
Moreover, electric fire may propagate fast through walls, ceilings, and equipment and often go undetected until they are large. They also release toxic smoke when they burn insulation and plastics, which may be very harmful to the inhalation.
How to Fight a Class C Fire Safely
The safety comes first when it comes to dealing with Class C fire. The first rule is never to use water which is a conductor of electricity which may increase the situation.
The best solution is the use of fire extinguishers that are specific to the electrical fire like the dry chemical extinguishers co2 or extinguishers that do not conduct electricity. These extinguishers achieve this objective of putting fire out by breaking the chemical combustion of the fire or by replacing oxygen which aids in containing the flames.
Where possible, immediately the power source should be turned off. After the power is cut, then the fire can then be managed depending on the materials that are on fire. Nevertheless, do it only in case it is safe to do so and you are well-trained.
When to Evacuate Instead of Fighting the Fire
Not all fires ought to be contested. In case the fire is spreading very fast, causing a lot of smoke, or covering your way out, the safest option is evacuating. The fires of class C may rapidly grow, and there is no house worth putting your life in danger.
Always use your fire safety plan in the building you are in, warn the others and report the emergency services at the earliest opportunity.
Preventing Class C Fires
The best prevention in the case of electrical fire is prevention. The following are some of the important prevention tips:
- Have periodic checks of electrical installations particularly when the buildings are old.
- Change broken cords, outlets and switches as soon as possible.
- Do not overload power strips and outlets.
- Clean appliances as per the instructions.
- Clean electrical equipment and dust it off.
Pay electricians licensed to do installations and repairs.
Fire safety training should also be available in the workplaces to ensure the workers understand how to spot hazards and to address them accordingly.
Class C Fires at Home vs. the Workplace
Any environment may have electrical fires, but the risks may vary depending on the environment. In the house, the usual sources comprise of kitchen appliances, space heaters, and entertainment systems. The hazards at workplaces particularly in industrial or office environments are usually server rooms, machines, and complicated electrical systems.
The differences also mean that the fire safety plans must be different to suit the environment and have the appropriate equipment and procedures in place.
Final Thoughts
The knowledge of Class C fire will go a long way in making the emergency response procedure more effective and safe. These fires entail excited electrical equipment and must be given some special attention since they can cause electrocution and fast propagation of fire.
The identification of common causes, the application of appropriate firefighting techniques, and prevention will help significantly reduce the risk of the emergence of the electrical fire that will lead to severe damages. It begins with learning on fire safety, and preparation may be a lifesaver.
