Why should firefighters avoid the use of water to extinguish phosphorus fires?

Phosphorus being air reactive is shipped under water in the tank thus keeping the phosphorus from spontaneously combusting.

Is white phosphorus used in smoke grenade?

As a result, smoke-producing white phosphorus munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for infantry, loaded in defensive grenade launchers on tanks and other armoured vehicles, and as part of the ammunition allotment for artillery or mortars.

What is Pol firefighting?

The fuels management flight, also known as POL for petroleum, oils and lubricants, provides fuel support to the Air Combat Command, Fort Eustis’ Training Doctrine, six battalions, five wings and 30 organizations across JBLE. …

What is in the mixture that firefighters drop from airplanes to stop wildfires?

The brand name Phos-Chek stems from its active ingredient, ammonium phosphate, and its job to check — that is, stop — fires. Unlike water or firefighting foam, the long-term fire retardant is not meant to be applied to things that are already burning.

What causes Phossy jaw?

It was most commonly seen in workers in the matchstick industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was caused by white phosphorus vapour, which destroys the bones of the jaw. Modern occupational hygiene practices have since eliminated the working conditions that caused this disease.

What does lip stand for in firefighting?

Because you’re familiar with LUNAR this what the others stand for: HELP stands for “Handle,” or firefighters name and rank, “Equipment,” or equipment the person is assigned, “Location” or where the firefighter is located, and “Problem”. LIP stands for “Location” or where are you?, “

What kind of training is needed to fight a white phosphorus fire?

Specific training for white phosphorus fires may be a military fire fighting specialty, since WP is used in some ordnance. Civilian firefighters would follow hazmat guidance and treat it as a class D flammable metal fire.

Why is white phosphorus dangerous to use in a fire?

White phosphorus will burn until it is consumed or it runs out of available oxygen, it auto-ignites in air, burns extremely hot, can be blinding, is very poisonous, can react violently to some chemicals, and can “stick” to surfaces. That defines a potentially very bad time for fire fighters.

Is a phosphorus fire a Class D fire?

Yes, a phosphorus fire would be considered a class D fire. However, like most class Bs, class Cs and class Ks, you don’t fight it within conventional method, as a class D fire is considered a combustible metal fire. Spraying water on a class D fire would mean that you could achieve an explosion on the fire. How would you fight a phosporous fire?

What is white phosphorus used for in everyday life?

White phosphorus is used industrially to manufacture chemicals used in fertilizers, food additives, and cleaning compounds. It has been used in the past as a pesticide and in fireworks. It is used by the military in various types of ammunition as an incendiary agent (because it spontaneously catches fire in air)…