Switchboard fire extinguishers
For electrical switchboards, distribution boards, control panels and electrical rooms
A switchboard is one of the few pieces of equipment in a building that everything else depends on. When one catches fire, the right extinguisher within reach makes the difference between a contained incident and a serious one, and the wrong one can make it worse.
Switchboard fires are electrical (Class E) fires while the board is live, so the choice of extinguisher matters, and so does isolating power. Here is what to know.
At Industro, we supply switchboard fire extinguishers for commercial buildings, warehouses, factories, schools, healthcare facilities and industrial sites across Australia. our fire extinguisher range
Why switchboards catch fire
Most run safely for years, but faults do happen. The usual causes are loose connections, electrical arcing, overloaded circuits, faulty breakers, damaged or ageing wiring, water ingress, poor maintenance and even rodent damage to cables. Because a switchboard packs a lot of electrical components into a small enclosure, a minor fault can build serious heat, and a fire can smoulder inside the cabinet before any smoke or flame shows.
First move: isolate the power
Wherever it is safe, isolate the supply. A switchboard fire is a Class E fire only while the equipment is energised. Once power is off, it is reclassified by whatever is actually burning, and becomes far easier to deal with.
Which extinguisher for a switchboard
Two types cover most Australian sites:
- CO2 , the preferred choice around a switchboard. It leaves no residue, so it does not contaminate the board or surrounding gear, and there is minimal clean-up. CO2 fire extinguishers
- ABE dry chemical , a sensible all-rounder for mixed-risk areas (rated A, B and E), though it leaves a fine powder, so it is less ideal directly on the electrical components. ABE fire extinguishers
A common setup is a CO2 unit mounted at the electrical room or board, with ABE covering the broader area.
Related
- The basics: What Fire Extinguisher for Electrical Fires, Electrical Fire Classes Explained
- Similar environments: Server Room, Data Centre fire extinguishers
- Outfitting a site: Electrical Fire Safety Equipment
Need the right extinguisher for your switchboard or electrical room? Talk to the team at Industro. get in touch