by devotus » Fri Nov 25, 2011 9:23 pm
Even though water would do the job its probably the last on the list to use
1) Foam = fuels/fats ..This will smother the fire without risk of spreading it however the risk is as Maheel said IF you have some electric circuitry somewhere then the foam may conduct and or hide open circuitry. Therefore when you've put out the fire, kill the power to the house before you clean up the Foam.
2)Powder = electrical ...This will still work and in my opinion still better than water for an ethanol fire as again this will starve the fire of o2 without the risk of spreading it and is non conductive the risk is that a fuel fire may still burn low under the powder and re ignite when the powder is disturbed.
3)Co2= depending on the size of the fire will work fine if its too large though then the Co2 may struggle.
4) Water= combustible materials, water is the least desirable in my opinion although will work if you're careful. IF you have a container of fuel on fire then spraying water directly on it will spread the fuel and fire from arsehole to breakfast and then you'll have dramas. IF you aim the water high and mist it to starve the fire of O2 then thats a better plan. The other disadvantage is that its conductive and if you have electrics ......well you know.
I know ethanol is not a strong burner but still I'd treat it with the respect of burning fats/fuels anyway.