To ensure effective and efficient fire prevention and control for flammable liquids such as gasoline, it is essential to know the most effective firefighting methods. Below are the fastest methods for extinguishing gasoline fires that you can refer to.
1. Extinguishing Gasoline Fires with Sand
Sand absorbs heat and can prevent flammable materials from coming into contact with oxygen.
This method is accessible for everyone to extinguish a fire. Sand is a readily available material, and many facilities often have fire sand containers on hand for active fire prevention. Sand works by absorbing heat and preventing flammable materials from contacting oxygen. As a result, the combustion process cannot be sustained and is quickly extinguished.
In the event of a fire, individuals should scoop sand onto the flames to prevent the burning liquid from spreading. This is a low-cost, easily accessible, and simple-to-use material, making it a common choice for gas stations to effectively support firefighting efforts.
2. Extinguishing Gasoline Fires with Fire Blankets
According to information published by Vietnam Quality Newspaper, fire blankets are made from cotton fibers that easily absorb water. When a fire occurs, the blanket should be soaked evenly in water and then placed over the flames to separate the fire from the external environment. The soaking causes the cotton fibers to 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 extinguishing.
Alongside these actions, when encountering flames, you should assess whether it is a large or small fire to report to the Fire Department. You should also notify others to keep a safe distance and participate in firefighting efforts.
For small fires, such as burning barrels or containers of gasoline, you can use a soaked blanket or sack to cover the affected area. Simultaneously, move any unaffected items to safety and use water to cool the surrounding barrels to prevent the fire from spreading. If gasoline spills onto the ground, use soil or sand to cover the flames. The same method can be applied if gasoline is burning on a vehicle or train, along with using a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
For small fires, such as burning barrels or containers of gasoline, you can use a soaked blanket or sack to cover the affected area.
3. Extinguishing Fires with Foam
The Foam Fire Suppression System is designed for gasoline storage facilities and is installed to proactively prevent and control fires. Foam fire extinguishing agents are understood as large bubbles that are durable, filled with air, and have a lower density than oil, gasoline, or water. The foam extinguishing solution is created from three components: water, concentrated foam, and air. Water is mixed with concentrated foam to create a foam solution, which is then mixed with air to produce a firefighting foam with the necessary features, ready to be sprayed onto the surface of the flammable materials to extinguish the fire.
The foam fire suppression system operates primarily on the isolation principle. When a fire occurs, the system is activated and sprays a foam that covers the surface of the gasoline, quickly separating the flammable liquid from the air and flames, thus extinguishing the fire. Additionally, the water contained in the foam helps cool the fuel and prevents the liquid from evaporating and mixing with the air to form a combustible mixture.
- When a fire occurs, the central control system will sound an alarm. At this point, staff can identify the fire area. When the temperature in the fire area reaches around 60-80°C, the sprinkler head breaks, water sprays out, reducing system pressure, and the pump automatically activates to supply water to the foam compound tank.
- As water flows through the pipeline (the signal will be sent back to the fire alarm panel), the solenoid valve opens, allowing some water to enter the foam tank, creating pressure with the foam inside the tank, which pushes the foam out through the nozzle. Due to the high surface tension of the foam, the covering layer is quite durable, helping to isolate the burning material and preventing re-ignition.
Steps for Extinguishing Gasoline Fires You Need to Know
For large fires, such as those involving gasoline storage tanks or tankers, the combustion rate is very high, and flames can reach temperatures of around 1,100°C, potentially deforming or destroying equipment. If water is mixed in with the gasoline in the tank, boiling can occur, causing gasoline to spill or splash, creating new fires. In such cases, firefighting is extremely challenging, so you should follow these steps:
- Alert the entire facility.
- Report the fire to the local Fire Department, police, or government authorities.
- Evacuate assets and nearby gasoline barrels to a safe location.
- If possible, reduce the amount of gasoline in the burning tank to a safe area.
- Use a water spray system to cool the burning tank and adjacent tanks.
- Use a foam spray system to extinguish the fire.
- Report the fire situation and type of flammable material to professional firefighting personnel as required.
- Follow the instructions of the Fire Department.
- Secure the fire scene.
