How should fires involving explosives be fought?

How should fires involving explosives be fought?

• A. Fires involving explosives should be fought by any trained personnel using improvised means.
• B. Fires should be fought by designated security personnel with standard extinguishers only.
• C. If it is safe, try to extinguish with water or foam.
• D. Only by trained personnel using approved extinguishing methods and protective measures; evacuate and alert EOD if the fire cannot be controlled safely.

Answer: (D)

Fires involving explosives demand a controlled, professional response because energetic materials can detonate with little warning and send dangerous fragments, heat, and pressure in all directions. The safest approach is to have trained personnel handle the incident using approved extinguishing methods and protective measures, evacuate as needed, and immediately alert Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) if the fire cannot be contained safely. Trained teams bring the right gear, distance, and techniques to cool or isolate the munition without triggering detonation, reducing risk to bystanders and responders. Trying to improvise with household tools or standard extinguishers, or using water or foam without authorization, is dangerous. Improvised methods may fail to control the fire, can disturb the munition, or cause secondary explosions, and water can spread heat or react with certain energetic materials in unpredictable ways. If conditions allow you to respond safely, do so only with proper training and equipment; otherwise, evacuate and call EOD.

Fires involving explosives demand a controlled, professional response because energetic materials can detonate with little warning and send dangerous fragments, heat, and pressure in all directions. The safest approach is to have trained personnel handle the incident using approved extinguishing methods and protective measures, evacuate as needed, and immediately alert Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) if the fire cannot be contained safely. Trained teams bring the right gear, distance, and techniques to cool or isolate the munition without triggering detonation, reducing risk to bystanders and responders.

Trying to improvise with household tools or standard extinguishers, or using water or foam without authorization, is dangerous. Improvised methods may fail to control the fire, can disturb the munition, or cause secondary explosions, and water can spread heat or react with certain energetic materials in unpredictable ways. If conditions allow you to respond safely, do so only with proper training and equipment; otherwise, evacuate and call EOD.