What type of extinguisher is recommended for electrical fires?

• A. Foam with water
• B. Water
• C. Non-conductive extinguishers such as CO2 or dry chemical
• D. Water mist

Answer: (C)

When tackling an electrical fire, the priority is to avoid creating a path for electricity to reach you. You want an extinguishing agent that won’t conduct electricity. Non-conductive extinguishers, like carbon dioxide or dry chemical powders, do the job safely by not allowing current to flow through them and by breaking the flame’s chemical reactions or forming a barrier on the surface of the fuel.

Water-based options—foam with water or water mist—carry or conduct electricity more readily, which can energize the extinguisher, the nozzle, or you, and can worsen the situation by causing shocks or short circuits. So they’re not recommended for live electrical fires.

Keep in mind that using CO2 in enclosed spaces can displace oxygen and pose a suffocation risk, so use it with awareness of the surroundings and a clear exit path.