Throwing a chunk of one of these alkali metals in water will cause an explosion as the metal reacts violently with water. Spraying water on these …
Why Can’t You Use Water To Put Out A Magnesium Fire? Fires of magnesium are not able to be extinguished by water. Since oxygen is depleted, it continues to burn. It reacts with nitrogen from air to form magnesium nitride (Mg3N2) Magnesium is mainly present as Mg2+ (aq) in watery solutions. Magnesium hydroxide’s solubility in water is at 12 mg/L.
Metal Fires – Why Water isn’t Always the Best Extinguishing Agent
First, let’s look at extinguishing agents that should not be used. NFPA 484 6.3.3.5(1) specifically states that water shall not be used as an extinguishing agent on combustible-metal fires unless they are compatible with the metal because of adverse reactions and ineffectiveness. Water-based foams are not recommended because they contain water.
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What type of fire extinguisher is used to extinguish a magnesium fire?
The department should consider using a Class D extinguisher along with the selected hoseline. The hose stream could be used to cool the vehicle, while the Class D extinguisher could be used extinguish the magnesium fire. The Class D extinguisher will act as a smothering agent on the metal fire.
What happens when water contacts magnesium during a fire?
When water contacts magnesium during fires, firefighters can suffer a variety of injuries. Magnesium is appearing in more products every year. On March 30, 1988, there was a tractor-trailer explosion in Chicago causing 200 people to evacuate from two different factories.
Can water be used to put out magnesium?
The Chicago Fire Department performed tests that showed that if you use large quantities of water quickly, it could be used to cool the magnesium and later be extinguished. Depending on your operating guidelines, there needs to be a look at vehicle fires due to magnesium being placed in all vehicles.
Why can’t you put water on metal fires?
First of all, metal fires often burn at more than 5000 degrees F. That’s hot enough to disassemble water into its component parts, and one of those parts is hydrogen gas, which is not only flammable but explosive. In other words, putting water on these fires can be like literally feeding them more fuel.
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How not to extinguish a magnesium fire Video Answer
Reference:
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_extinguisher