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Difficulty: MediumDealing with Vehicle Fires

A small engine fire has broken out under your car's bonnet. After stopping safely, turning off the ignition, and evacuating all passengers, how should you tackle the fire using an extinguisher?

  1. A
    Open the bonnet wide to locate and spray the base of the fire directly
  2. Direct the extinguisher spray through the radiator grille or a small gap under the bonnetAnswer
  3. C
    Pour large amounts of water across the engine compartment to cool the components
  4. D
    Place a warning triangle on the carriageway before discharging the extinguisher

Answer

Direct the extinguisher spray through the radiator grille or a small gap under the bonnet
When dealing with an engine fire, directing the extinguisher spray through the radiator grille or a slight gap beneath the bonnet allows the extinguishing agent to reach the fire without admitting a rush of fresh air. Opening the bonnet fully provides oxygen that can cause the fire to flare up violently, putting anyone nearby at serious risk.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the risk and keep the bonnet closed or only slightly unlatched
Oxygen starvation is maintained inside the engine bay
Opening the bonnet fully allows a rush of fresh air to enter, which can cause the flames to flare up dramatically and inflict severe burns
2
Discharge a suitable vehicle fire extinguisher through the radiator grille or under the cracked edge of the bonnet
The extinguishing agent blankets and smothers the fire source safely
This suppresses the combustion process while protecting the user from direct exposure to sudden flame surges

Key Concept

Engine fire containment and flare-up prevention
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Dealing with Vehicle Fires

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