Essential Tips for Safely Extinguishing Flammable Liquid Fires
Flammable liquid fires behave fast, spread low, and smoke thick. This guide explains how to recognise, control, and safely extinguish them at home, on the road, or at work—without making things worse.
⏱️ Reading time: 10–12 minutes • Last updated: 29 September 2025 (AEST)
Quick contacts (AU): 000 (life-threatening), SES 132 500 (storm/flood), Poisons 13 11 26, Lifeline 13 11 14, local council, energy outage line.
Heat Alert
High temps raise vapour pressure and ignition risk. Store fuels cool, in metal cabinets or approved containers, away from sun and appliances.
Smoke Hazard
Petrol and solvent smoke is toxic. Evacuate, close doors, and ventilate down-wind only when safe. Avoid basements and low areas.
Flooding Risk
Floods can float fuel containers and spread slicks to ignition sources. Elevate storage and isolate power if safe to do so.
Prevention: Stop the Fire Triangle Before It Forms
Flammable liquid fires (petrol, diesel mist, paint thinners, ethanol, LPG condensate, oils with light fractions) ignite when fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source meet. Your job is to keep them apart. Store fuels in compliant containers, in a ventilated, cool spot off the floor. Keep lids sealed to limit vapour. Keep batteries, chargers, pilot lights, and switches away from storage and decanting areas.
Use trays under small engines and jerry cans to catch drips. Wipe spills straight away with non-sparking tools and rags; dispose as per council rules. Label everything with plain English and date. In workshops, earth (bond) metal tanks before transferring fuels to prevent static arcs.
At home, set a “no-smoke/no-grind” zone around mowers, generators, and boats. In apartments or townhouses, never store fuel indoors or on balconies; ask your strata for safer options. In farms and depots, use bunds around tanks and keep grass cut short to reduce flame travel.
Train family and staff on the simple rule: Never use water on a flammable liquid fire. Water spreads fuel and can flash to steam, pushing burning liquid wider.
Install interlinked smoke alarms and a heat alarm in garages where permitted. For businesses, add a monitored system and clear evacuation diagrams near exits.
Preparedness in 5 Minutes
- Check the extinguisher gauge (in the green) and shake dry powder weekly to prevent caking.
- Clear 1 metre around stored fuels and confirm lids are tight.
- Place a metal tray and absorbent pads near the workbench.
- Identify two exits; keep them unlocked while working.
- Teach “PASS”: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
Preparedness: Gear, Layout, and Briefings
Match the extinguisher to the risk. For flammable liquid fires you want Class B capability. Common choices are ABE (dry chemical powder) and foam (AFFF/FFFP or fluorine-free). CO₂ is useful on small bench fires around electrics. Keep extinguishers near exits, not inside likely fire zones.
Mount clear signage: “No smoking”, “Flammable Liquids”, and extinguisher type/usage. Pre-plan shutdown steps for fuel pumps, power, and ventilation. Assign a warden or crew leader on each shift. For households, agree on who calls 000, who grabs the extinguisher, and who shepherds children or pets out.
Ensure spill kits contain absorbent granules, pads, non-sparking scrapers, heavy-duty bags, and tape. Add nitrile gloves, goggles, and a simple respirator for fumes if trained. Practice a two-minute drill every month: alarm, call, isolate, extinguish if safe, evacuate, account, and meet at the letterbox or gate.
For Crew Leaders — ICS Quick Tips
- Declare objectives out loud: “Protect life, contain, prevent run-off, ventilate.”
- Use one radio channel; repeat key orders. Confirm “received” by name.
- Assign “isolation”, “nozzle”, “safety”, and “lookout” roles.
- Brief on wind, drains, and ignition sources; set a red line for “no entry”.
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Response: Safely Extinguishing Flammable Liquid Fires
First, warn others and call 000. If it’s small and you’re trained, tackle it with your back to an exit. Keep clear egress. If in doubt, shut the door, evacuate, and wait for Fire Rescue Victoria or local brigade.
1) Assess: What’s burning? How big? Where’s the wind? Is anyone unaccounted for? Are there drains or pits that could carry flaming fuel? Kill ignition sources if safe—switch off power at the isolator, stop pumps, and shut gas.
2) Choose method: For most small spills, use dry chemical powder (ABE) or foam. CO₂ is for localised flames on machinery/electrics without deep liquid. Never use water jets; they spread the fuel. Fog or fine mist may cool exposures if directed above and away from liquid, but avoid disturbing the surface.
3) Approach low and up-wind: Crouch, keep the cylinder low, and approach from the edge. Avoid stepping into pooled liquid or downhill paths.
4) Apply correctly: For powder, aim just above the leading edge, squeeze, and sweep slowly side-to-side, driving flame off the liquid. For foam, bank the stream off the far edge or a solid surface, letting it flow gently over the liquid to form a blanket. With CO₂, direct the horn at the base in short bursts to avoid splashing. Keep at it until all flame is out—then keep watching.
5) Watch for re-ignition: Vapours can flash back from pilot lights, hot work, or static. Keep a lookout for “ghosting” blue flames. Ventilate only when extinguishment is stable.
6) Protect drains and waterways: Use absorbent socks to ring the spill. Block stormwater grates if trained and it’s safe.
Recovery: Clean-Up, Reporting, and Learning
Once it’s out, ventilate cautiously and monitor with a portable gas detector if available. Bag saturated absorbents and rags. Follow council and EPA guidance for disposal. Photograph the scene for insurance and workplace records.
Replace or service used extinguishers immediately. Review what sparked the incident—static, poor storage, decanting errors, or heat build-up. Update your risk register and brief your team or household on what will change from today.
How It Works: Powder, Foam, and CO₂
Dry chemical powder (ABE) interrupts the chemical chain reaction in the flame. It’s fast, forgiving, and effective across classes A, B, and E, but leaves residue that can damage electronics.
Foam forms a blanket that separates fuel from oxygen and suppresses vapours. It’s ideal for spreading liquids and provides post-fire security if you maintain the blanket. Use gentle application to avoid plunging the fuel.
CO₂ displaces oxygen around the flame and cools a little as it expands. It’s clean but less effective in draughty spaces and offers minimal post-extinction security.
In every case, isolate energy, control run-off, and keep a lookout for reignition. Coordinate with incoming crews—hand over a simple status: “Fuel type, size, actions taken, isolation, exposures, and injuries.”
Roles & Coordination: Agency, Site, and Community
Expect multi-agency involvement where spills spread or people are exposed. Fire services lead on suppression and hazard control, police manage traffic and cordons, and ambulance handle patient care. Councils and environmental agencies support drain protection and clean-up approvals.
On site, appoint a single point of contact to meet crews at the gate. Provide MSDS/SDS sheets, a site map, and shut-off locations. Assign a runner to secure pets and guide neighbours if evacuation is needed.
For schools and apartments, communicate simply: “There’s a small fuel spill in the car park, fire service on route, please stay inside and keep clear of the ground level.”
Equipment & Tools: What Works, What to Avoid
- ABE Dry Powder extinguisher (4.5 kg for garages, 9 kg for workshops). Check the gauge weekly.
- Foam extinguisher or trolley unit for larger areas, plus a small in-vehicle unit for boats and utes.
- CO₂ for switchboards, server rooms, and benchtop machinery (use ear/hand protection—very cold discharge).
- Spill kit with absorbent socks, pads, and non-sparking tools.
- Metal storage cabinet (self-closing doors) and bonded floor or tray.
- Signage/lighting for exits and isolation switches, plus wind direction indicator in larger yards.
- Avoid: plastic jugs, water jets, leaf blowers (they push vapour), and improvised foam from detergents.
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Australian Scenarios: Quick Case Studies
1) Boat refuelling at a suburban driveway: A small petrol spill reaches a warm exhaust and lights. The homeowner uses a 4.5 kg ABE, sweeping from the up-wind edge, and a neighbour kills power at the mains. Foam from arriving crews secures the area and covers the driveway. Lesson: refuel on cool engines and bank foam, don’t splash it.
2) Paint shop roller bin fire: Soaked rags self-heat in a summer shed. Staff pull a foam extinguisher, apply gently, and place rags into a metal bin with a lid, then ventilate once gas levels are safe. Lesson: oily rag cans and regular collections matter.
3) Rural generator shed: Diesel mist ignites after a hose crack. The operator uses powder and closes the louvre shutters to cut draughts. Firefighters check for hot spots with a thermal camera and replace lines. Lesson: routine hose checks and proper bunding protect sheds and tanks.
Checklists: Household, Business, Responders
Household
- Store fuel in approved containers, off the floor, away from hot water units.
- Keep a 4.5 kg ABE near the garage exit and know PASS.
- Place absorbent pads and a metal tray by the bench.
- Plan two exits; practise a two-minute drill.
- Keep kids and pets out during decanting and hot work.
Business
- Risk register for each flammable liquid; SDS folder up-to-date.
- Bonding/earthing for transfers; anti-static mats where needed.
- Spill kit, drain covers, and monthly drills logged.
- Fire wardens rostered; isolation map posted.
- Foam unit for larger bays; extinguisher servicing scheduled.
Responders
- 360° size-up, wind, slope, drains; set hot/warm/cold zones.
- Dry powder for knock-down; foam for security and run-off control.
- Assign lookout for re-ignition; thermal imaging if available.
- Coordinate with police for traffic and ambulance for smoke exposure.
- Record actions for debrief and EPA notifications.
Accessibility & Inclusion: Simple, Clear, Safe
Use plain labels and colour-plus-shape symbols on extinguishers. Add tactile markers near isolation switches. Keep instructions in large print and high contrast. Practise with ear protection and visual cues for those who lip-read.
If English isn’t a first language, pair diagrams with one-line steps. For mobility limits, place extinguishers lower and ensure escape routes are free of steps or clutter.
FAQs
Can I use water on a petrol fire?
No. Water spreads the fuel and can flash to steam, pushing flames wider. Use ABE powder or foam.
Is diesel less dangerous than petrol?
Diesel vapours ignite less easily but atomised diesel and hot surfaces still create serious risk. Treat it with the same care.
Foam or powder—what’s better?
Powder is fast and versatile; foam gives better post-fire security on pools of liquid. Many sites carry both.
How far should I stand from the fire?
Start a few metres back, test the extinguisher, then close in carefully while sweeping. Always keep a clear path to exit.
What about lithium batteries?
Battery fires behave differently. Prioritise evacuation and call 000. Use copious water for cooling if trained and safe; don’t use powder expecting full control.
How often should I service extinguishers?
In workplaces, follow AS 1851 schedules (typically 6-monthly checks). At home, inspect monthly and replace after use.
What if flames enter a drain?
Back away, warn others, and call 000. Fire crews will foam blanket, block drains, and protect waterways.
Are fumes harmful after the fire is out?
Yes. Ventilate carefully and seek medical advice for headaches, nausea, or cough after smoke exposure.
Official Australian Sources
- Fire Rescue Victoria — urban fire safety, incident updates.
- Country Fire Authority (VIC) — community safety and training resources.
- NSW Rural Fire Service — bush and grass fire guidance.
- Safe Work Australia — hazardous chemicals and workplace duties.
- Healthdirect — smoke inhalation advice.
- Bureau of Meteorology — weather and warning information.
- AFAC — national fire and emergency knowledge.
Credits
Author: FireRescue.com.au Editorial Team | Technical review: Veteran urban firefighter and HAZMAT trainer | Date: 29 September 2025
Disclaimer
Emergency education — not official advice. Always check local warnings and follow directions from authorities.
Training helps — join your local brigade/unit.
