What substances cannot be extinguished with water?
2025-12-09
We know that water has many uses. In the event of a fire or other danger, fire hoses are used to spray water and extinguish the source of the fire. But is water truly all-powerful? Let’s take a look below.
1. Flammable liquids that are lighter than water and insoluble in water, in principle, should not be extinguished with water.
2. Alkali metals cannot be extinguished with water. This is because when water reacts with alkali metals (such as potassium and sodium), it causes the water to decompose into hydrogen gas and releases a large amount of heat, which can easily lead to an explosion.
3. Alkali metals carbides and alkali metal hydrides cannot be extinguished with water. For example, potassium carbide, sodium carbide, aluminum carbide, and calcium carbide, as well as potassium hydride and magnesium chloride, can undergo chemical reactions upon contact with water, releasing large amounts of heat and potentially causing fire and explosion.
4. Molten iron and molten steel cannot be extinguished with water. This is because the temperature of molten iron and molten steel is around 1,600°C, and steam at temperatures above 1,000°C can decompose into hydrogen and oxygen, posing an explosion hazard.
5. In the event of a fire involving high-voltage electrical equipment, water generally should not be used to extinguish the fire unless there is proper grounding equipment in place or the power supply has been completely disconnected.
6. The three acids (sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid) should not be extinguished using a powerful stream of water; if necessary, a spray water stream may be used instead.
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