Our Guide on How to Put Out an Electrical Fire

When it comes to electrical fires, swift and decisive action can make all the difference between a minor incident and a major emergency. Electrical fires are among the most common types of fire and can be caused by everything from faulty appliances and damaged wiring, to overloaded circuits and electrical equipment that hasn’t been properly maintained.

Electrical risks are particularly important for businesses, where offices, machinery, IT equipment, kitchens, charging equipment, and other electrical systems can introduce multiple potential ignition sources.

That’s why knowing how to put out an electrical fire, what to do in an electrical fire, and more importantly, when you should evacuate is vital for protecting lives, property, and valuable assets. In this blog, we explain how to respond to an electrical fire safely, which fire extinguishers are most suitable, and how to stop an electrical fire from occurring in the first place.

What causes an electrical fire?

Electrical fires can be caused by a variety of factors, making it important to understand the potential risks. Electrical Safety First states that a significant proportion of electrical fires are caused by electrical products, while others result from the misuse of or faulty electrical installations, such as wiring, fuseboxes, and lighting circuits.

Some of the most common products and sources associated with electrical fires include:

• Cooking appliances, such as cookers and microwaves
• Laundry appliances, such as washing machines and tumble dryers
• Electrical lighting
• Portable heaters
• TVs and other electrical equipment
• Damaged plugs, sockets, and cables
• Faulty or poorly maintained electrical installations

Within commercial environments, additional risks may come from computers and servers, manufacturing machinery, plant equipment, battery charging areas, and appliances that operate for long periods.

Regardless of what causes an electrical fire, you should never attempt to tackle it unless it’s completely safe to do so and you have the appropriate equipment and fire safety training. If there’s any doubt, raise the alarm, evacuate, and contact the fire and rescue services.

What to do in an electrical fire

Knowing what to do in an electrical fire is essential because using the wrong equipment or approaching the fire unnecessarily can place you and others at greater risk.

If an electrical fire occurs, you should:

1. Raise the alarm and alert everyone nearby. You should also begin following your building’s fire evacuation procedures.
2. Call 999 where there is immediate danger. Don’t delay contacting the emergency services while attempting to deal with the fire yourself.
3. Isolate the electrical supply only if it’s safe to do so. Switching off the power can remove the electrical source, but you should never put yourself at risk to reach a switch or circuit breaker.
4. Never use water on live electrical equipment. Water can conduct electricity and increase the risk of electric shock.
5. Only use fire fighting equipment if you’ve been trained and it’s safe to do so. You should have a clear escape route behind you and only attempt to tackle a small, manageable fire with the correct extinguisher.
6. Evacuate if the fire can’t be controlled immediately. Close doors behind you where possible and don’t re-enter the building.

Knowing what to do in an electrical fire is as much about recognising when not to intervene as knowing which equipment can be used. Life safety should always come before attempting to protect equipment or property.

How to put out an electrical fire

If you’re faced with an electrical fire, it can be easy to panic. However, remaining calm and following the correct emergency procedures is essential.

If the fire is very small, you’ve been trained to use the appropriate firefighting equipment, and there’s a clear escape route behind you, it may be possible to intervene. 

To put out an electrical fire, there are two key actions you should take:

1. Cut off the electricity supply

Only if it’s safe to do so, cutting off the electricity supply can help prevent the fire from escalating. This may involve switching off an appliance or isolating power using the appropriate circuit breaker or electrical isolation point. 

Removing the electrical supply can reduce the risk of continued ignition and make the situation safer to manage. However, you should never move towards a developing fire or expose yourself to electrical hazards simply to reach the power supply.

If access to the electrical isolation point is unsafe, evacuate and wait for the fire and rescue service.

2. Use the correct firefighting equipment

If the fire is small enough to tackle safely and you have received appropriate training, you should only use firefighting equipment suitable for the risk.

CO2 fire extinguishers are commonly used for fires involving live electrical equipment because they don’t conduct electricity and don’t leave a damaging residue behind.

Fire blankets may also be suitable for certain very small, contained fires, but their use requires you to be close to the flames. They should therefore only be used where this can be done safely and where the blanket is suitable for the incident.

If a fire is spreading, producing significant smoke, or can’t be tackled immediately, you should evacuate instead.

How not to put out an electrical fire

Now that you understand how to put out an electrical fire, it’s just as important to understand how not to put out an electrical fire. 

One of the most important things to remember is to never use water on a fire involving live electrical equipment.

Water conducts electricity, which means introducing water to an electrical fire can expose you to a serious risk of electric shock. It may also spread conductive water across nearby surfaces and equipment, which can cause additional hazards. This is why a standard water fire extinguisher shouldn’t be used on live electrical equipment.

You should also avoid attempting to move burning electrical appliances or equipment, particularly where damaged cables or live connections may still be present.

If you’re unsure whether the electrical supply has been isolated or whether the equipment available is suitable, the safest course of action is to evacuate.

What fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires?

When it comes to tackling a fire with a fire extinguisher, it’s very important to know which type to use for certain types of fire. Fire extinguishers are categorised as to which type of fire they can be used on. 

CO2 fire extinguishers are commonly used for fires involving live electrical equipment. They don’t conduct electricity and leave no residue behind, making them particularly suitable areas containing computers, servers, electrical panels, and other sensitive equipment. If you’re unsure what fires are CO2 extinguishers used for, our guide explains the different situations where they may be suitable and when another extinguisher type should be considered.

A CO2 fire extinguisher can be identified by its black label. When discharged, carbon dioxide helps suppress the fire by reducing the oxygen available around the flames. 

Because CO2 can displace oxygen, care must be taken when it’s used in confined spaces. Anyone using an extinguisher should also ensure they have a clear escape route and don’t put themselves at unnecessary risk.

Dry powder extinguishers may also be suitable for certain electrical risks, however, they can significantly reduce visibility and may irritate the eyes and airways when discharged. Powder also leaves residue that can damage sensitive equipment, which means it’s generally less suitable for many indoor commercial environments.

When using any fire extinguisher, it’s important that staff have received appropriate fire safety training and understand both which extinguisher to use and when evacuation should take priority.

How to prevent electrical fires

Understanding how to prevent electrical fires is just as important as knowing how to respond to one. There are a number of proactive measures businesses can take to help identify and control electrical fire risks.

Some ways you can prevent electrical fires include:

• Regularly inspecting plugs, sockets, and cables for visible damage
• Removing damaged electrical equipment from use
• Ensuring electrical appliances are kept in good working condition
• Avoiding overloading sockets and extension leads
• Keeping flammable materials away from electrical equipment and heat sources
• Providing adequate ventilation around equipment that generate heat
• Following manufacturer instructions for electrical equipment and machinery
• Switching off or disconnecting appropriate equipment when it’s not required
• Ensuring electrical installations are inspected and maintained by qualified professionals

Businesses should also consider electrical ignition sources as part of their fire risk assessment. This can help identify where electrical equipment, storage arrangements, working practices, or changes to the premises could increase the likelihood or consequences of a fire.

Regular housekeeping is also important. Dust, packaging, paper, and other combustible materials shouldn’t be allowed to accumulate around electrical equipment, machinery, or ventilation openings.

Taking a combination of these preventative measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of electrical fires and help ensure any developing faults are identified before they create a serious risk.

Need more advice on electrical fires?

Knowing what to do in an electrical fire, how to use the correct firefighting equipment, and how to prevent electrical fires can help reduce risk to people, property, and business operations.

Here at Hoyles Fire & Safety, we provide a wide range of fire safety products and services for businesses across Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, and the wider UK thanks to the nationwide support from the LS Fire Group.

Our services include the supply and maintenance of fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, fire risk assessments, and fire safety training, helping businesses take a joined-up approach to managing their fire safety responsibilities.

If you need help reviewing the fire risks within your premises or ensuring you have the correct extinguishers and fire safety measures in place, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team today.