As everyone knows, fire is extremely dangerous, especially when you’re unaware of the particular causes and ways to tackle specific types of fire. Continue reading our helpful guide to discover what a Class C fire is, how to prevent it and how you can tackle one if faced with the situation.
Class C fire explained
A Class C fire is one that is ignited by flammable gases, such as methane, propane or butane. Flammable gases are extremely dangerous and highly explosive, so can be very dangerous if allowed to ignite.
You will typically find butane and propane in gas canisters, which would usually be found on-site for certain building trades. You can also find these gases in gas barbecues and gas camping stoves. Class C fires can also be fueled by natural gases that can be found at home when cooking food.
Fires involving gases can be ignited when a leak is present and has come into contact with some form of ignition. They can also occur when equipment is damaged or not properly maintained, installed and used. All of these instances are extremely dangerous and can cause untold damage if the proper fire prevention methods aren’t put into place.
How to prevent a Class C fire
If you have gas canisters wherever you are – at work or home – you must ensure they’re not damaged in any way. To do this, check for signs of rust or dents.
Any gas canisters must also be away from possible ignition sources and stored in compliant containers or in buildings constructed with fire resistant walls and explosion relief.
To check for a gas leak, do not use an open flame. This is the exact type of ignition that will trigger a larger fire. Instead, use soapy water. Mix a teaspoon of soap in water and put it near the area that you suspect is leaking. If bubbles start to appear this is an indication that you have a gas leak. If this is the case, switch off your gas supply.
For gas appliances at home, like an oven, stove or boiler, you’ll most likely be safe so long as you’ve used a Gas Safe registered engineer to perform a gas safety inspection and service. However, if you ever smell gas, you must switch off all of your gas appliances immediately and contact a professional.
How to tackle a Class C fire
If you are faced with a Class C fire and have to tackle it, the first thing you should do is turn off the gas supply – if you’re able to.
Fires involving gases burn intensely, so make sure you stand back while trying to extinguish one. You’ll be putting yourself in unnecessary danger by getting too close. If you’re able to, call the emergency services as Class C fires can be too much for one person to handle, especially if untrained.
The only fire extinguisher you can use to effectively tackle fires involving gases is a dry powder extinguisher. This type of fire extinguisher works by cooling the flames until there is no longer enough heat to keep them burning. It is important to remember that using any other type of fire extinguisher will only help a Class C fire and will spread the fuel and flames.
Further Class C fire prevention with NW Fire Solutions
At NW Fire Solutions, we can offer comprehensive residential fire risk assessments for properties to ensure the safety of the building’s occupants and fire strategy reports that review all aspects of a building’s safety features.
As well as expert fire risk assessments, we also offer fire safety awareness training. These training sessions are essential for retaining a level of fire safety in the workplace. Basic fire awareness training is a fundamental training course for any business or organisation.
Our training course enables your staff to gain an appropriate understanding of fire safety in the workplace, their roles, responsibilities, and what safety measures should be in place to protect themselves and others.
If you would like to know more about us and the services we provide, don’t hesitate to contact us today on 0151 665 0124 or email us at info@nwfiresolutions.co.uk.