To ensure effective and swift fire safety measures for oil and gasoline, it is essential to know how to extinguish fires effectively. Below are the quickest methods for extinguishing oil and gasoline fires, which you may find useful.
1. Extinguishing Oil and Gasoline Fires with Sand
Sand absorbs heat and can prevent combustible materials from coming into contact with oxygen.
This is a method that anyone can use to put out a fire. Sand is a readily available material, and many facilities often have pre-prepared sand buckets for proactive fire safety measures. Sand’s ability to absorb heat helps prevent combustible materials from contacting oxygen, thus quickly extinguishing the fire.
In the event of a fire, individuals should throw sand onto the flames to prevent the burning liquid from spreading. Sand is inexpensive, easy to find, and simple to use, making it a common storage item at gas stations for effective fire extinguishing.
2. Extinguishing Oil and Gasoline Fires with a Wet Blanket
According to information reported by the Quality Vietnam newspaper, this type of fire blanket is made from cotton fibers that easily absorb water. When a fire occurs, it is essential to soak the blanket thoroughly in water and then cover the flames to isolate them from the surrounding environment. When wet, the cotton fibers expand, sealing the surface of the blanket and enhancing its effectiveness in isolating the fire. Additionally, it helps reduce the temperature of the flames, leading to quicker extinguishment.
Alongside these actions, when spotting a fire, you should assess whether it is large or small and report it to the Fire Department. Moreover, inform those nearby to keep a safe distance and to participate in firefighting efforts.
For smaller fires, such as those involving burning barrels or cans of gasoline, you can use a wet blanket or sack to cover the burning area. Simultaneously, move any unburned objects to a safe location and use water to cool the surrounding barrels to prevent the fire from spreading. If gasoline spills onto the ground and ignites, cover the fire with dirt or sand. In cases where gasoline ignites in vehicles or trains, similar methods can be applied, along with using fire extinguishers to put out the flames.
For small fires, such as burning barrels or cans of gasoline, use a wet blanket or sack to cover the affected area.
3. Extinguishing with Foam
The Foam Fire Extinguishing System is designed for oil storage facilities and installed as a proactive fire safety measure. Foam fire extinguishing is understood as a large mass of foam that is stable, filled with air, and has a density lower than oil, gasoline, or water. The foam solution comprises three components: water, concentrated foam, and air. Water is mixed with concentrated foam to create a foam solution, which is then aerated to produce a firefighting foam ready to spray onto the surface of the flammable material and extinguish the fire.
The foam extinguishing system operates primarily on the principle of isolation. When a fire breaks out, the system activates and sprays a foam that covers the surface of the oil or gasoline, quickly separating the flammable liquid from the air and fire, thus extinguishing the flames. Additionally, the water contained in the foam cools the fuel and prevents the liquid from vaporizing and mixing with the air to form an explosive mixture.
- When a fire occurs, the central control system will alert by sounding an alarm. At this point, staff can identify the fire area. When the temperature in the fire zone reaches about 60-80°C, the sprinkler heads break, releasing water. The system pressure decreases, and the pump automatically activates to supply water to the foam storage tank.
- As water flows through the pipes (the signal will be sent back to the fire alarm panel), the solenoid valve opens, allowing a portion of the water to enter the foam tank, creating pressure in the foam storage tank, forcing the foam to exit through the designated discharge nozzle. Due to the high surface tension of the foam, the covering layer remains stable, effectively isolating the burning material and preventing re-ignition.
Steps for Extinguishing Oil and Gasoline Fires You Need to Know
For large fires, such as those involving storage tanks or fuel trucks, the burning rate is extremely high, and the flames can reach temperatures of about 1,100°C, potentially deforming or destroying equipment. In cases where water is mixed in the tank, boiling may cause the gasoline to overflow or splash, creating new fires. In such situations, extinguishing the fire can be very challenging; therefore, the following steps should be adhered to:
- Alert the entire facility.
- Report the fire to the Fire Department, police, or local authorities.
- Evacuate assets and nearby fuel barrels to a safe location.
- Remove excess fuel from the burning tank to a safe area (if possible).
- Use a water spray system to cool the burning tank and nearby tanks.
- Use a foam spray system to extinguish the fire.
- Inform the fire response team about the situation and the type of flammable material involved.
- Follow the directives of the Fire Department.
- Secure the fire scene.
