On what types of fire is the Water Glycol Extinguisher to be used on?

• A. Non-electrical fires
• B. Electrical fires
• C. Gas fires
• D. Metal fires

Answer: (A)

Water-based extinguishing agents like Water Glycol rely on cooling and wetting solid fuels to suppress fires. They are designed for ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and textiles, which is why this extinguisher is used on non-electrical fires. The glycol helps improve wetting and heat absorption, but the fundamental limitation remains: water conducts electricity, so using it on live electrical equipment poses a serious shock risk and is not permitted. For this reason, Water Glycol extinguishers are not suitable for electrical fires, and they’re not the right choice for gas or metal fires either, which require different extinguishing methods.