Latest Questions UpdateCategory: ChemistryCan we use sodium carbonate as fire extinguisher
Jakheri asked 1 year ago
2 Answers
Anik Staff answered 11 months ago

Sodium carbonate cannot be used as a fire extinguisher. It is a dry chemical powder that is used to absorb moisture and dehydrate.

This can be useful for extinguishing small fires involving combustible metals, but it is not effective for fires involving flammable liquids or gases. In fact, sodium carbonate can actually make these types of fires worse by reacting with the fuel to produce more heat.

The best fire extinguishers for flammable liquids and gases are Class B and Class C fire extinguishers. These extinguishers contain a variety of extinguishing agents, including water, foam, dry powder, and carbon dioxide. The type of extinguisher that is best for a particular fire depends on the type of fuel that is burning.

Here is a table that summarizes the different types of fire extinguishers and their uses:

Type & Extinguishing Agent Use

Class A – Water – Fires involving ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, paper, and cloth

Class B – Foam, dry powder, or carbon dioxide – Fires involving flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and grease

Class C – Dry powder or carbon dioxide – Fires involving flammable gases, such as propane and natural gas

Class D – Dry powder – Fires involving combustible metals, such as magnesium and sodium

Dr. Mukesh Shrimali Staff answered 11 months ago

No, sodium carbonate cannot be used as a fire extinguisher. It is a salt that is used to make glass, soap, and other products. It is not effective at extinguishing fires. In fact, it can actually make some fires worse. For example, sodium carbonate can react with grease fires to produce a flammable gas. It can also react with water to produce steam, which can spread a fire.

The following are some of the fire extinguishers that are commonly used:

Water: Water is the most common type of fire extinguisher. It is effective at extinguishing Class A fires, which are fires that involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, and cloth.

Foam: Foam is effective at extinguishing Class A and B fires. It works by smothering the fire and preventing oxygen from reaching the flames.

CO2: Carbon dioxide is effective at extinguishing Class B and C fires. It works by displacing oxygen and preventing the fire from burning.

Dry powder: Dry powder is effective at extinguishing Class A, B, C, and E fires. It works by coating the burning material and preventing oxygen from reaching the flames.

If you are unsure of what type of fire extinguisher to use, it is always best to consult with a fire safety expert.