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Can firefighters use a well?
These private wells, combined with pressure tanks, provide enough water for domestic and sanitary use, but not for firefighting. Since the well is likely to be in an open area through which firefighters will move with ladders, hoselines, and other equipment, it can be an obstacle to firefighters.
What kind of water do firefighters use to put out fires?
A Cal Fire spokesperson told SFGATE that there are several sources of water that fire crews can draw from: municipal water sources at Cal Fire facilities, fire hydrants out in the field, lakes, ponds and even residential swimming pools.
Can water put out thermite?
Water should not be used to extinguish the reaction, since addition of water to hot iron produces potentially explosive hydrogen gas. Since fires resulting from thermite reactions can be difficult to control, the chemicals should not be used in larger amounts than suggested.
What type of fire can be safely put out with water?
Class A fires
Class A fires have a solid combustible fuel source like wood or paper. You can use water, or a Class A fire extinguisher, to put out this type of fire. Class B fires, on the other hand, have a flammable liquid fuel source, like gasoline. Do not use water to put out a Class B fire as it will just spread the fire.
How much water can a fire truck carry?
Contemporary fire engines carry their own water, a pump to move the water, and hose. Water tank sizes can range from 500 – 1,500 gallons. Pump capacity is measured in gallons per minute (gpm) and most pump capacities are between 1,000 gpm – 2,000 gpm.
How much water is used to fight a fire?
For large fires, it could take upwards of 20,000 gallons of water to control a blaze. Numbers like this typically only stem from large fires that take hours to control.
What liquid do firefighters use?
Firefighters use aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to help extinguish difficult-to-fight fires, particularly fires that involve petroleum or other flammable liquids ‚ known as Class B fires.
What is the hottest burning substance?
Thermite
Thermite, a mixture of metal powder and metal oxide, is the hottest burning man-made substance in the world. It burns at temperatures of more than 2,200C, enough to burn through steel or asphalt.
What element can burn underwater?
Thermite, a mixture of rust and aluminum. YouTube/TheBackyardScientist This flowerpot full of red powder looks pretty innocuous. But when ignited with a strip of magnesium and a blowtorch, it yields a molten metal so hot it keeps burning underwater.
Can Coke be used as fire extinguisher?
Yes. Coke or Pepsi may have fire quenching components of fire extinguishers, experts warn against using them as extinguishers.
How much water is on a fire engine?
500-750 gallons
Key components of a fire engine include: Water tank (usually 500-750 gallons)
Can you put out a fire with water?
There is also an issue with putting out oil and liquid fires with water. Again, the water is capable of extinguishing these fires through cooling and even, potentially, cutting off the oxygen, but what is far more likely to happens is that when you add water, you splash the burning liquid around and instead of putting it out – you spread the fire.
How does water extinguish a fire?
The second way it might extinguish a fire is by smothering it. If, for example, you had a fire in a small trash can and you dumped a bucket of water over the fire, half-filling the trash can with water and covering it completely – you would remove the oxygen source from the fire. This video goes into more detail about the science of fire and water:
How do you put out a campfire with no water?
If you have no water, you can simply allow the fire to burn up the wood or fuel until it turns into coals. Afterward, you can throw sand and dirt on the embers using a shovel. Stir the hot coals and sand together occasionally to make sure it is put out completely.
How do you safely extinguish a Class A fire?
You can use water to safely extinguish a class A fire. When you throw water on say, a pile of burning books, then you remove the heat from the fire and with a bit of luck it goes out. If it doesn’t go out and the fire hasn’t spread out of control, you can keep adding water until it is fully extinguished.