Navigation and Seamanship

5.1.5. Fire fighting Appliances

                 Various fire extinguishers exist for use on different fire sources. When dealing with afire which is being fuelled by burning wood or paper, you may act very differently from the way you would on an electrical fire. Obviously water cannot be used on an electrical fire as water conducts electricity and could put you in grave danger if mixed with live electrics. This means you must choose a suitable fire extinguisher for the job in hand – even in the most perilous of emergency situations. Every fire extinguisher has a colour-coded band that gives a quick reference as to what is in the container. It is essential that you learn these codes and the situations in which they are suitable to be used.