Thread: Putting out fires.

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So, I'm over at my lady's house, Superbowl weekend, she's about to make some snacks to take to the (VFW) post and we have a poker game planned.

Well, a breaker trips (she's warming the apt with space heaters).

She resets the breaker. The lamp blinks on, and back off. The breaker doesn't trip.

This is pretty screwy. I go home and grab my DMM (digital volt meter) and my coveralls ( expecting a trip in the attic) and lo and behold the panel makes noise!

Hey folks, power panels (circuit breaker cabinets) are silent.

I knew something was way screwy, and I cut out the main breaker. She asked if she should call her electrical guy, and I told her that would be a good idea as my residential electrical experience is minimal

Poked my head in the attic (fiberglass insulation is why I grabbed the coveralls) and I saw SMOKE. Lots of it, too toxic to stick my head in, but no flames.

Well I got tired of waiting for the fire dept. and went home to grab my gas mask. (You don't have one?)

When I got back, the first emergency responder was there: the local fire dept volunteer. Suited up but no gear. I told him to step aside and I went in.

With a proper respirator I was easily able to find the problem. A circuit was overloaded, buried in insulation, and burned up, causing the blow- in insulation to ignite.

Now, I'm aware that a major selling point of this blow in insulation is that it doesn't burn, but let me tell you- once it starts smouldering it ain't gonna stop.

I brought a Chem extinguisher up with me, but I didn't feel it would really help. Water is what we needed.

Wouldn't ya know it, cutting the power cut off the well. OK, I swept away the insulation from the burning mass and eventually the rest of the fire Dept got there and they had an H2O extinguisher. (It took two).

So, about then, her electrical guy (his moniker is Monkey- no sheet) is on scene, and between the two of us we ID four damaged circuits and have them repaired before the power company gets there to cut the meter off.

So... Who's the crazy prepper now?

Where's your gas mask?

..................

That entire story could have had a much worse ending. It's a good thing you were over there and doing the investigating.

We live on some very isolated Islands here in New Zealand and although we did our bit in the world wars and such, I have never seen a gas mask unless it was in a museum so I don't think I will run out and purchase one yet. LOL.

HMmmmm.. my old gas mask was for keepin the smoke "inside". roflmao...

It's incredible how many attics I've seen that have burnt wood around and old chimney, scary stuff. An electrical fire would scare me more on how to stop it. Glad you had the mask. Would a paint mask with the charcoal filters work the same? I really don't know. Have I been throwing caution into the wind with not having a certified gas mask?

Honestly I very much questioned the purchase of the gas mask, but rationalized it as peace of mind, and potential for real life application for welding in poor ventilation or, galvanized.

The paint mask would have probably functioned just as well, provided that it covers the whole face. The air was so toxic, that even after the fire was extinguished the electrician's eyes were burning and he had to pull his shirt oner his mouth and nose to breathe.

I realize that I am coming to the party late but I was a building inspector in the grand left coast city of Los Angeles and I could not let pass the comment of using water on an electrical fire. I know that you said the power had been cut but someone seeing that might not put the two together and water on a LIVE electric circuit will create an exciting show unless the water is distilled. Yes believe it or not distilled water is a non conductor; how else could it rain for days on the electric lines running all over this country without problems.