How to Put Out a Gas Fire

Posted on May 25th, 2009 by Marck

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Gasoline is a very useful substance, but it is also one of the most dangerous chemicals in the world. When exposed to a spark or an open flame, any source of gasoline can turn into the center of a harrowing inferno. In the event of a gas fire, here are some things that you can do to save your life and your property.

The Fire Triangle

When fires go out of control, they can be a very destructive force. To understand how to put out a fire, you need to know what makes up a fire, and how to stop it:

Heat. Open flame and very intense sources of heat can cause a fire. Fires can be stopped by extinguishing the source of ignition. For gas flames, you can get rid of the heat component by switching off pilot lights, activating the circuit breaker, or getting rid of all possible sources of open fire or sparks nearby.
Oxygen. Fires need a lot of oxygen to to sustain the flame, and to maintain the combustion of the fire. To put out the flame using the oxygen component, you need to smother it. Gas fires can be deprived of an oxygen source by using a fire extinguisher.
Fuel. Fuel should be exposed to oxygen and a source of intense heat to combust. The fuel of a fire will eventually run out, although it can be particularly dangerous if the fuel source is continuous. To get rid of the fuel source for a gas fire, you need to turn off the main gas valve.

Use a Fire Extinguisher

The safest way to put out a gas fire is to get rid of the oxygen component, which is best accomplished by using the foam of a fire extinguisher. A fire extinguisher is your first (and often your only) line of defense to suppress and eliminate the gas fire. Gasoline is an oil-based product, so water will not put out the fire. Water will only spread the gasoline around, and will cause the fire to get worse.

When using a fire extinguisher, always follow these reminders:

Use the proper extinguisher. Not all household fire extinguishers are meant to extinguish gasoline flames. Check the label of the fire extinguisher to see if the manufacturer formulated and designed the contents of the canister to withstand and suppress gas fires.
Follow the instructions. Take the time to follow the short instructions provided by the manufacturer when using the extinguisher. Make sure the extinguisher is charged properly before using it on the fire.
Use more than what you need. Once the fire is suppressed, you may want to add a few more bursts of foam on the flame to get rid of heat or gasoline.

For larger fires, though, it’s very important for you to safely evacuate the area. For gas fires involving piped-in gas or pressurized gas containers, you need to immediately call the attention of the fire department or local fire brigade. Gas fires are very dangerous, so you must take extra care when putting out gas fires.