Vehicle Fire Hazards
Flammable Metals
Flammable metals also pose a risk to firefighters. As we know, water applied to burning magnesium will cause a violent, sometimes explosive, reaction. Magnesi... View MoreVehicle Fire Hazards
Flammable Metals
Flammable metals also pose a risk to firefighters. As we know, water applied to burning magnesium will cause a violent, sometimes explosive, reaction. Magnesium was widely used in Volkswagen engine blocks and crank cases starting in the 1950s. Modern vehicles now contain numerous magnesium components such as the power train, suspension, chassis, steering wheel armatures, steering column brackets, gear boxes, clutch housings, and oil pans. Always anticipate that vehicles contain magnesium components and there is a strong likelihood they will be involved in the fire. Often, you won�t know whether it is a flammable metals fire until you apply water to the vehicle.
Generally, at all vehicle fires, you should initially knock down the fire and attempt to cool the vehicle from a distance. If your hose stream contacts burning flammable metals, you may see a brilliant and powerful reaction that can shower firefighting personnel with burning embers of hot magnesium and other alloys. This is why it is imperative that you wear full turnout gear and have no exposed skin.
You may also see a distinctive and brilliant �white� area burning typically coming from the floor on the driver�s side near the base of the steering column. This is likely magnesium. Use a straight or solid stream to rapidly cool the areas surrounding the burning magnesium. Concentrate on first extinguishing the rest of the fire that is away from the combustible metals. Once the entire area is sufficiently cooled, the burning magnesium will typically self-extinguish. If not, consider using a Class D extinguisher, although this is generally not required to extinguish the small amount of combustible metals that may flare up during fire suppression.
Steven Schnaudt
