On which types of fires should water not be used?

Water should not be used on gas and electrical fires because it can exacerbate the hazard rather than extinguish it.

In the case of gas fires, applying water can spread the flammable liquid, potentially leading to a larger fire or explosion. The water does not effectively cool or smother hydrocarbon-based fuels, which could cause the fire to intensify or move to other areas.

For electrical fires, water is a conductor of electricity and can pose a significant risk to the person trying to extinguish the fire. Using water on an electrical fire could result in electrocution and further complications, as it does not address the source of the electricity causing the fire.

Therefore, it is essential to use appropriate extinguishing agents designed for those types of fires, such as carbon dioxide or dry chemical fire extinguishers, which can effectively suppress the flames without introducing additional hazards.