Why can't burning gasoline be extinguished with water? Now we will understand this issue. But let's first find out what gasoline is. This is a liquid that can burn on its own even after you remove the ignition source from it. Flash point - not more than 61 ° . But unlike most other liquids, burning gasoline should never be filled with water. And all because this can lead to an increase in the burning area.
Why can't burning gasoline be extinguished with water?
Why is it necessary to fill burning objects with water? Since combustion is a fast-moving process of combining substances with oxygen, your main task is to protect this gas from an object that is burning. Filling these things with water, you lower their temperature, block the way of oxygen to objects. But if gasoline burns, then water will not help you here. Watering it with it, you only do harm. Gasoline does not mix with water. It is less in weight, so it will only float, and it will not stop burning. In addition, it will begin to blur further with water, as a result of which the area of the fire will increase.
How to overcome?
How to extinguish gasoline? To extinguish it, you will need to block oxygen access to it in another way. It is better to fill the flame with earth or sand. If the fire develops slowly, then first try to fall asleep everything around it so that it does not begin to spread further. If the container with gasoline caught fire, then these methods are not suitable. Here you need to act differently - cover the container with a cloth (the denser the better).
What other methods of struggle are there?
We figured out why burning gasoline cannot be extinguished with water, now let's first briefly review the methods that will really help in solving this problem. Then we will describe how to act in this case.
In order to extinguish gasoline, as we have already found out, you need to close the access of oxygen to an object that has caught fire, since without it it will not burn. A fire extinguisher can be used for this. How to extinguish gasoline with a fire extinguisher? For flammable liquids, powder is suitable.
Instruction manual
Carefully throw fires over the ground with sand or sand so that gasoline does not spill, splash, or fall on objects standing nearby, otherwise a fire will seize them as well. But before you do something, remove to a safe distance all things that can catch fire and are close to the fire (furniture, curtains, etc.).
Then you will need to sprinkle with sand or earth burning liquid around. Then fall asleep from the edges to the middle. After you put out the fire, the sand (used to extinguish the fire) becomes toxic, so it will need to be buried away from public places and those where there are plants.
Remember that if you have already been able to put out the fire, then it can safely begin again. This can happen if there are burning things or objects that are still smoldering nearby. Vapors after such a fire can also catch fire. Check all places well and fix all problems.
How to put out a burning canister?
Sand or earth can be used to extinguish a fire only if the liquid is spilled on the floor or ground. But if the tank with gasoline caught fire, then it can do much harm. Never throw earth or sand onto a canister to avoid overturning or spilling its contents by accident. A dense fabric (for example, a rug, coat, bedspread, etc.) is better suited in such a situation. Cover the container, this will help block air access to it. Do not open this canister until it stops burning.
Conclusion
Now you understand why burning gasoline can not be extinguished with water. We hope that our recommendations have helped you understand this issue. Be vigilant and avoid fires. It’s easier to prevent a problem than to solve it.