Question

5. Give reason for the following:
a) Fires caused by electric short circuit should not be doused with fire.
b) Food cans used for storing food items are coated with tin.​

Answer 1

a) The main reason is the risk of electrocution. Water is conductive in nature and hence the electricity in the equipment could reach the extinguisher (the person dousing the fire using water) and can electrocute him/her. If you cannot unplug what is burning there is a special type of fire extinguisher that you can use.

b) Tin cans, used for storing food, are made by electroplating tin onto iron. Tin is less reactive than iron. Thus, food does not come into contact with iron and is protected from getting spoilt.