Why using water or CO2 to extinguish a metal fire is dangerous
In short: Most common fire extinguishers can actually make a metal fire much worse. Steve Mould explains the chemical reactions that turn standard firefighting tools into explosive hazards.
While carbon dioxide extinguishers work by starving a fire of oxygen, burning metal can strip the oxygen atoms from the CO2 molecules. This process actually adds more oxygen to the fire. If water is used, the reaction is even more hazardous; once the oxygen is stripped away, the remaining hydrogen is explosive.
To safely manage a metal fire, one must use a Class D fire extinguisher. These devices work by completely covering the burning metal with a non-reactive powder.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: How Not to Put Out a Metal Fire - with Steve Mould
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