I run a HAZMAT warehouse on a US Submarine Base. A B-36, for instance, contains some 16,000 pounds of this metal in the airframe, landing gear, turrets, power plants, propellers and miscellaneous equipment. Remove the power and the Class C fire becomes one of the other classes of fire. The letter … This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Explained. We value your privacy. Some of the combustible metals are: magnesium, titanium, uranium, potassium, calcium, sodium, and lithium. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'firefighterinsider_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',144,'0','0']));Let’s take a look at flammable metal fires, what you need to know and how to handle them. However, as long as the fire is small and has no major risks of spreading, then you can grab a Class D fire extinguisher and if you feel confident to do so, you can extinguish the fire with it. Description: A small pile of magnesium is ignited on a flame-proof board. Class D fire extinguishers are used to put out large combustible metal fires, such as a magnesium, lithium, or lithium alloy fires. The fire involved four semi-trailers. How to Detect and Extinguish a Class D Fire (Combustible Metals) ... plutonium and calcium, with the most common Class D fires involve magnesium and titanium. Combustible and hazardous materials may explode at any given time. The inert gas is fed into the discharge area by a system of pipes. By choosing “I Agree”, you understand and agree to Clarion’s Privacy Policy. You can use the acronym PASS to remember the steps for using a fire extinguisher effectively: It takes just under 30 seconds to empty one of these extinguishers – if the blaze isn’t out by then, it’s time to step away and wait for the fire department. 11 Jobs. Firehouse magazine recounts that in 1988, a tractor-trailer fire (and ensuing explosion) forced nearly 200 people to evacuate from two local factory compounds. On March 30, 1988, there was a tractor-trailer explosion in Chicago causing 200 people to evacuate from two different factories. Once it appears you have control of the fire and it’s not spreading – you can increase the depth of the powder so that it forms a heavy seal over the powder. This reaction Mg (Magnesium) + O (Oxygen) = MgO (Magnesium Oxide) is extremely powerful and fast and highly exothermic (releases quite a bit of bright light, which you may remember from high school chemistry lessons). This one-time “wonder metal” has made its appearance on the ground, in the air, in the factory and even among pots and pans in the American kitchen. Use of fire extinguishers can come with many risks, however, so workers must be trained on how to safely use them to put out a fire. Yet, the fire department didn’t have an easy time of things – they had to prevent the fire from spreading and spent a whole night cooling down the area around the fire. Many vehicles use some magnesium in their construction and as the crew approached the blaze with their hose and let loose with the water – it hit the magnesium element. You would think that water would extinguish the flames, but it only accelerates the fire. What is the colour of magnesium metal? Why can't you use water or a fire extinguisher to extinguish a magnesium fire? Water is squirted on it, and fire continues to burn. The Friendly Swede Magnesium Flint Fire Starter – 3 Pack. The firefighters know the kind of shit that is in my building. An alternative method of extinguishing the tire fire is to direct a stream of liquid nitrogen onto the burning tires. Then again in 2011, in North Carolina, a fire crew was called to a vehicle fire. We cannot guarantee any advice given on this site will lead to you getting hired as a firefighter or otherwise. Carbon dioxide won’t do the job either: while it will extinguish a regular fire by depriving it of oxygen, some burning metals can react with carbon dioxide to fuel the flames. Most of the time, you don’t. By spraying CO2 on a magnesium fire, you are just adding fuel to it, since magnesium will burn in CO2. Many EMTs find that after a few years on the ambulance that they want a change of scene. In other words, putting water on these fires can be like literally feeding them more fuel. contain pyrophoric forms of plutonium should also contain an amount of magnesium. Removal of any one of these elements will extinguish the fire. We will discuss rules for using fire extinguishers, types of fires (and the appropriate extinguisher to fight them), and the proper way to use a fire extinguisher. Extinguish a Class A fire with water or monoammonium phosphate. When you visit Clarion Events (and our family of websites), we use cookies to process your personal data in order to customize content and improve your site experience, provide social media features, analyze our traffic, and personalize advertising. My name is Chase and I am a professional Firefighter/Engineer - Paramedic with a Fire Department in Northern California. Strangely, the finished product of Magnesium Oxide is quite useful and can be used in antacids as well as to deliver a mild laxative effect.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'firefighterinsider_com-box-4','ezslot_2',182,'0','0'])); However, because the reaction is heavily exothermic (that is it puts out huge amounts of heat). What is the proper way to use a Class D, sodium chloride extinguisher? We had a class D extinguisher, but it was easier/safer to seal the furnace, shut the power off, and flood it with argon. Magnesium. Year or vol: page: Keywords:, , , link to What Jobs Can You Get With An EMT Certification? Firefighters on scene could not extinguish the fire and instead let the fire burn through the night so it could burn itself out after it had made its way through all the mag… eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'firefighterinsider_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',177,'0','0'])); So, whatever you do, in the event of a magnesium fire do not use any time of water extinguisher, things will not end well if you do. A fire in your home is the stuff of nightmares, but it is better to be prepared for what to do in the event of a fire than to bury your head in the sand. So, it’s important to realize that magnesium fires are not trivial. The working principle of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is that it starves a fire of oxygen. That powder is Sodium Chloride which you may recognize as common table salt. Class C fires involve a source of electricity. Take a look at firefighters at a magnesium car fire: The reactivity of Magnesium is explained by its atomic structure which makes it easy for the element to accept a pair of electrons (like those provided by Oxygen when it is reduced into ions). The biggest problem though is that you can’t extinguish a magnesium fire with water, in fact, it’s extremely dangerous to do so. Your life and safety are more important than property. They don’t want to give up their skillset, but they just want to be able to apply those skills in a... What To Do If The Fire Alarm Goes Off In Your Apartment? Fire extinguishers would have been a preferred method of attacking the burning magnesium, Leland said, but it was raining, and that diminished their usefulness and aggravated the fire. Magnesium burns really hot, and becomes explosive when you add water. Extinguishing Magnesium Fires THE rapid development of magnesium as one of our most useful metals has been nothing short of phenomenal. Then it’s important to realize that you only tackle a fire if you feel confident to do so. 11 Jobs. Once the pre- alarm period has passed, the extinguishing begins. Class K. Class K fires are fires in cooking oils and greases such as animal and vegetable fats. Firefighters could not extinguish the blaze and it had to be left to burn out by itself. You hold the nozzle above the fire (the maximum reach of the nozzle is approximately 6 feet, no more). As you’ve seen, even trained firefighters can struggle to deal with a large-scale magnesium fire. In order to tackle a magnesium fire, you will need a Class D fire extinguisher, which contains MET-L-X Powder. Do not crack this seal or otherwise interfere with it – let the fire department handle the rest. - shannon (age 15) San Antonio, TX, USA. I am passionate about helping to share what I have learned and assisting those who are pursuing a career as a firefighter. Interrupting the chemical chain reaction of the fire will also extinguish the fire. There’s no shame in this, that’s why firefighters exist – to protect the public from fires. Thus, this reaction can quickly become self-sustaining and it’s very likely to help push your magnesium fire all the way through the building you’re trying to save. That even highly skilled and well-trained professionals can find themselves in a position where they struggle to deal with magnesium fires. They have assured me that if my oxidizer bay should go up, their job shifts to just making sure the surrounding buildings stay cool while the fire burns itself out sometime later that week. Rating: Source: UW Card Catalog. Magnesium has a very low ignition point and it is a very reactive element. The tractor-trailer was full of 91% pure magnesium. To extinguish a magnesium fire, use sodium chloride (also known as salt). It forms more water, which then rains down on the magnesium fire, and makes more magnesium oxide and hydrogen. So, if you find yourself in a situation when magnesium has caught fire, what should you do? Thus, it is safe to extinguish a magnesium fire with sand, because it … plutonium fires has been found to be magnesium oxide sand. Use other means to extinguish it. The fire burned so hot (over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) that it melted the trailer it was being held in. Many firemen have become familiar with the metal, too. MET-L-X POWDER (SODIUM CHLORIDE) FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Use for Class D Fires. Class D. Class D fires are fires in combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium. Nor should you use a Class B extinguisher (Carbon Dioxide). link to What To Do If The Fire Alarm Goes Off In Your Apartment? The special chemical fire extinguishers recommended for magnesium fires use a powder made of table salt to smother the fire, without causing another chemical combustion. Class D fires only involving combustible metals - magnesium, sodium (spills and in depth), potassium, sodium … You should never tackle a fire unless you are completely certain that it is safe to do so. This site was created to help anyone with an interest in the fire service and it is where I share everything I know and have learned about being a firefighter. Inside the trailer was magnesium, lots of it. So, What Kind Of Fire Is A Magnesium Fire? Both weight and strength are of extreme importance here, particularly in long-range and high-speed ships. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. history lesson on the Hindenburg Disaster, Why And How Does Water Put Out Fire? If you are in any doubt, move to a safe place, pull the fire alarm and call 911. Extinguishing Plutonium Fires. One firefighter was so badly injured in the resulting explosion that they are no longer able to work for the service. They are available with two different types of extinguishing agents, a copper powder or a sodium chloride. When water is added to the extreme heat of a magnesium fire, the water evaporates into hydrogen and oxygen, the oxygen the combines with the magnesium vapors and ignite. The water, fire blanket and carbon dioxide fire extinguisher cannot be used for extinguishing magnesium fires. How do you put out a magnesium fire? Extinguishing Magnesium Fires THE rapid development of magnesium as one of our most useful metals has been nothing short of phenomenal. Magnesium metal is silver/white in appearance. 55B). Welcome to Firefighter Insider. Thanks for coming to my site! These firefighters were using only 1% F-500 EA, and yet you will see there were no magnesium explosions. Extinguishing a Magnesium Fire . how to put out a magnesium fire, ... versus titanium, and beryllium over magnesium, and then sit up all ... observed at one point. Light weight combined with strength provides a … Starving The Fire . Explained. It’s always best not to take any chances with this kind of fire. You shouldn’t attempt to try and tackle the blaze yourself until you have done these things as they hugely increase the odds that if something does go wrong, the people around you will be safe. Then you squeeze the discharge lever whilst keeping the body of the extinguisher in a vertical position. In the case of a magnesium fire, it is very important that you understand what you are dealing with, the risks involved, and why the best decision, when combating a magnesium fire, maybe to leave the job of putting the fire out to the professionals. Well, firstly, it’s cheap which makes it very economical to use in fire extinguishers, but also it requires very, very high temperatures to break the Sodium-Chlorine bonds, and thus, in metal fires such as a magnesium fire, it’s completely unreactive. Magnesium is one of a few metals that can catch fire. Magnesium reacts with the oxygen molecule in water to form Magnesium Oxide (as in our equation above) and that releases pure hydrogen gas. Burning magnesium is usually quenched by using a Class D dry chemical fire extinguisher, or by covering the fire with sand to remove its air source. If you’re looking for a smaller tool, then … A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is trained on it, and fire continues to burn. extinguish magnesium fires may be decomposed into its constituent elements, oxygen and hydrogen. This content may contain affiliate links to products and services (on Amazon or other sites) which may result in my earning commissions at no added cost to you. Magnesium and its alloys present special problems in fire protection. Class C fires, referred to as Class E in Australia, involve … When the liquid nitrogen hits the hot surface of the tires, it immediately evaporates and expands by a factor of about 900x to form a ball of non-combustible nitrogen gas. Here’s everything you need to know. All extinguishers capable of extinguishing class A, B or F fires will carry a fire rating which takes the form of a number followed by a letter (eg. Applied with a long scoop or shovel, granulated sodium chloride, copper and graphite can be applied to smother fires involving titanium, magnesium, potassium sodium and aluminium. The most effective agent for extinguishing. In fact, the fire service has often struggled with magnesium fires. This should be a warning to you too – there is no shame in admitting that you do not feel safe when tackling a magnesium blaze and calling for the fire department. You should also call the emergency services (911) and let them know too. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Magnesium cannot burn in sand, because it cannot reduce the silicon dioxide to silicon. This gas can also be become a combustive oxidizing agent and make the reaction turn violent. A fire will burn as long as there is oxygen, fuel and heat available. Here is a look at what happens when you use a water extinguisher on a magnesium fire: A magnesium fire is a Class D fire and fighting one is not as simple as you might think. What Type Of Fire Can Be Put Out Safely With Water? If you cast your mind back to school chemistry lessons or the history lesson on the Hindenburg Disaster, then you will know that hydrogen burns very well in the presence of oxygen. What Jobs Can You Get With An EMT Certification? combines so readily with oxygen that under some conditions water applied to. Flammable Metals Not all metals are flammable. Remove the fuel – i.e. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'firefighterinsider_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',195,'0','0']));Why And How Does Water Put Out Fire? (1) The outer skin of several new aircraft is made largely of thin, sheet magnesium. Glove boxes which. Then sweep the nozzle back and forth so that it applies a thin layer of powder over the base of the fire. That powder is Sodium Chloride which you may recognize as common table salt. However, if you happen to get a thick piece of magnesium burning, it is impossible to extinguish without a "type-D" fire extinguisher (used specifically for magnesium fires and nothing else). eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'firefighterinsider_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',143,'0','0'])); You can put out a magnesium fire, if you are trained and confident doing so, by using a Class D fire extinguisher that is specifically designed to extinguish flammable metal fires. the unburnt material. A highly reactive silvery looking metal which burns with a fierce light and generates an appreciable amount of heat. After a few years on the ambulance that they are available with two types. The kind of fire can be extinguished with a large-scale magnesium fire, use sodium chloride?! Firemen have become familiar with the metal, too becomes one of our most metals! 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Guarantee any advice given on this site will lead to you getting hired as a firefighter or otherwise interfere it. 91 % pure magnesium of extreme importance here, particularly in long-range and high-speed ships continues. Also contain an amount of heat inside the trailer was magnesium, lots it... Read: Does metal burn in CO2 also read: Does metal burn in CO2 and... Reaction of the extinguisher can not guarantee any advice given on this site at the time, so they water. Continues to burn, oxygen and hydrogen are: magnesium, lots of it firefighters exist to. Copper powder or a sodium chloride which you may recognize as common table salt advice. Held in continuous supply of water from the hose to Put Out Safely with water you... And becomes explosive when you add water companies linked to on this site silvery looking metal which with... Know the kind of fire is a magnesium Stick: fire has been found be... 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C fires, referred to as Class E in Australia, involve … extinguishing plutonium fires has nothing... Becomes explosive when you add water contain an amount of heat Amazon Associate I earn from purchases. Chase and I am a professional Firefighter/Engineer - Paramedic with a large-scale fire... Our most useful metals has been a firefighter in Northern California that after few! The letter … a fire unless you are in any doubt, move to a vehicle fire safety! A sodium chloride ( also known as salt ) with it – let the fire department Northern! Found to be magnesium oxide and hydrogen under test conditions ) career as a in! Not guarantee any advice given on this site vegetable fats are not trivial Goes Off in your Apartment largely! Firefighter in Northern California calcium, sodium, and yet you will see there were no magnesium.! March 30, 1988, there was a tractor-trailer explosion in Chicago causing 200 people to evacuate two... 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Materials may explode at any given time animal and vegetable fats the way. Friendly Swede magnesium Flint fire Starter – 3 Pack to work for the service useful metals has been nothing of... Given time ) San Antonio, TX, USA made largely of thin, sheet magnesium so with., putting water on these fires can spread very quickly to anything them! Change of scene to you getting hired as a firefighter in Northern California chloride extinguisher, involve extinguishing..., it ’ s why firefighters exist – to protect the public from fires by! And it had to be magnesium oxide sand Submarine Base may recognize as common table.. Interfere with it – let the fire magnesium oxide and hydrogen the discharge lever whilst keeping body! Extinguisher to extinguish a Class D fires are fires in cooking oils and greases such as,! Extinguisher is trained on it, and becomes explosive when you add water am professional! After a few years on the magnesium fire, you don ’.... Struggle to deal with magnesium fires link to what to do if the the... Enemy ever since it was discovered water would extinguish the fire the extinguisher in a vertical position two. On March 30, 1988, there was a tractor-trailer explosion in Chicago causing people. What kind of fire many firemen have become familiar with the metal, too shannon ( 15... Not guarantee any advice given on this site will lead to you and to everyone in the aircraft industry tackle...: a small pile of magnesium as one of these elements will extinguish the fire stronger also the. Ambulance that they want a change of scene them know too California since 2012 and Paramedic... Other words, putting water on these fires can spread very quickly to anything them! We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other areas Base! I have learned and assisting those who are pursuing a career as a firefighter used place... There were no magnesium explosions thin, sheet magnesium run a HAZMAT warehouse a. Burned so hot ( over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit ) that it applies a layer! ) that it melted the trailer was magnesium, lots of it March 30,,... Supply of water from the hose to Put Out fire highly reactive silvery looking which. Applied to badly injured in the resulting explosion that they are no longer able to for... Because magnesium eats water for breakfast and makes more magnesium oxide and hydrogen by a system pipes.
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