Honk: Why not use ocean water to douse fires? (2024)

FAQs

Honk: Why not use ocean water to douse fires? ›

Salt water is not as effective at extinguishing fires because the salt content interferes with the firefighting process: As we already mentioned, saltwater is corrosive and may damage firefighting tools and machinery.

However it is rarely used. Ocean water is salt water. While during a fire that may seem unimportant, it's really very important. First, salt water can damage equipment not intended for salt water use.

Can firefighters use water from the ocean? Hawaii firefighters have used seawater to fight wildfires, but it's not really practical under most circ*mstances, said Jack Minassian, assistant professor of fire science at Hawaii Community College.

Around the world, firefighting onboard ships is done with sea water from their own fire-protection systems (and also from fire boats when they are in harbor): I've had campfires on beaches in Mexico, California and Alaska and then used ocean water to completely put out the coals afterwards.

Salt doesn't burn in a fire, which means it can be poured directly onto the flames of a small kitchen fire and used to smother it by depriving it of oxygen. If a frying pan catches on fire, pouring salt over it can get it under control fast.

Second, standard fire apparatus pumps would not do well with the salinity content of ocean water. It could be done, but would require extreme flushingg with fresh water, and most likley would still shorten the life of the apparatus.

Water has a very high heat capacity and heat of vaporization; so dumping water on a fire soaks up a great deal of heat. This deprives the fire of the energy it needs to continue. Originally Answered: What property of water makes it able to extinguish fire?

Then, as the inferno stoked by hurricane-force gusts grew, roaring further toward the historic center of town on the island of Maui, the hydrants sputtered and became largely useless. “There was just no water in the hydrants,” said Keahi Ho, one of the firefighters who was on duty in Lahaina.

The coral reefs that surround Hawaii protect the coastline from strong waves and water currents that would otherwise stir up sand and sediment. This helps to keep Hawaii's ocean water clear.

Several Hawaii residents hide behind a drywall to escape the flames and smoke from the Maui wildfires. Firefighters eventually reached the people hiding behind the drywall and led them to safety.

Can sea water be used as fuel? ›

Scientists in China have developed and tested a dual desalination–electrolysis device that produces hydrogen gas from saltwater. Their integrated system is one of the first practical and scalable methods for generating hydrogen fuel from non-potable water.

A manual flush toilet – many of which will use 'raw' water, the polite name for seawater – will need you to pump it to empty the bowl, similar to a portable toilet at a music festival.

Steam Evaporation: Also known as flash evaporation or steam desalination, the process uses steam and heat from the ship's engines to boil seawater. The water evaporates, leaving the salt as a byproduct. The now fresh water is then condensed back into distilled purified water.

Throwing sugar on a grease fire will not extinguish it. The sugar will melt and caramelize, causing the fire to spread. If you try to use powdered sugar, the fire might explode, similar to how it reacts if you introduce fire to flour.

Pour on Baking Soda - Baking soda will extinguish grease fires, but only if they're small. It takes a lot of baking soda to do the job. Spray the Pot with a Class B Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher - This is your last resort, as fire extinguishers will contaminate your kitchen.

Never use flour or water to extinguish a cooking fire. Flour is combustible and water can spread the fire.

Salt water = short circuit leads to fire & subsequent thermal runaway = water won't help.

Ocean water contains high levels of salt, which can cause significant harm to firefighting equipment and infrastructure. Corrosion and damage to pumps, hoses, and other firefighting apparatuses can occur whenever ocean water is used, reducing their effectiveness and lifespan.

Drinking seawater can be deadly to humans.

Seawater contains salt. When humans drink seawater, their cells are thus taking in water and salt. While humans can safely ingest small amounts of salt, the salt content in seawater is much higher than what can be processed by the human body.

With just two major roads providing an exit out - the Lahaina Bypass and the Honoapiʻilani Highway - there were few options for people to evacuate in the case of an emergency. When the fire reached the shoreline, some abandoned their cars, choosing to run to the only place the flames couldn't reach - the sea.