Can it be used for engine compartment fires? How does a vehicle-mounted water-based fire extinguisher solve the car fire problem?
Publish Time: 2025-12-08
One of the most terrifying emergencies while driving is an engine compartment fire. Traditionally, many people mistakenly believe that "water cannot extinguish oil fires," thus hesitating to use car fire extinguishers or even mistakenly choosing dry powder extinguishers for all fires. The vehicle-mounted water-based fire extinguisher completely overturns this perception—it can not only extinguish solid fires inside the car, but also safely and efficiently handle high-temperature, electrically charged, and oily engine compartment fires in critical moments, becoming an indispensable safety equipment for modern car owners.
1. Vehicle-mounted water-based fire extinguisher: Not "water," but a high-tech fire extinguishing agent
The vehicle-mounted water-based fire extinguisher does not use ordinary tap water, but a composite fire extinguishing agent based on water and containing surfactants, flame retardants, and antifreeze. Its core component rapidly reduces the surface temperature of burning materials while forming a water film on the fuel surface, isolating oxygen and inhibiting the volatilization of combustible vapors. More importantly, this agent possesses excellent electrical insulation properties; even when sprayed directly onto energized automotive circuits or battery systems, it will not cause electric shock or short circuits, making it far safer than dry powder or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.
2. Facing Engine Compartment Fires: The Triple Challenge of High Temperature, Oil Smoke, and Electrostatic Contamination
Automotive engine compartment fires are often caused by aging wiring, oil leaks, or mechanical overheating, characterized by high temperatures. Traditional dry powder fire extinguishers, while capable of extinguishing open flames, cannot effectively cool the area, resulting in a high reignition rate; furthermore, they generate a large amount of dust after spraying, contaminating delicate electronic components and even damaging the ECU. Water-based fire extinguishing agents, with their high specific heat capacity and vaporization endothermic properties, can rapidly reduce the temperature of the fire source area within seconds, fundamentally cutting off the combustion chain reaction.
3. Adapting to New Energy Vehicles: Safely Addressing Battery Thermal Runaway
With the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, fires caused by lithium battery thermal runaway have become a new hidden danger. These types of fires are extremely hot, spread rapidly, and release toxic gases. Vehicle-mounted water-based fire extinguishers, due to their strong cooling capacity and environmentally friendly, non-toxic properties, are increasingly recommended by fire departments for initial fire suppression of electric vehicles. Some high-end water-based products also contain lithium battery-specific flame-retardant additives that can penetrate into the gaps between battery modules, slowing heat diffusion and buying valuable time for evacuation and professional rescue.
4. User-friendly design: Convenient, clean, and long-lasting
Vehicle-mounted water-based fire extinguishers typically use lightweight aluminum alloy bottles, weighing only 1-2 kg. Their compact size allows for easy mounting under seats or in the trunk. The spray time is 20-30 seconds, and operation is simple (pull the pin, aim, press), allowing even non-professionals to quickly master them. The residue after extinguishing is clear water, non-corrosive, and dust-free, requiring no complex cleaning and avoiding secondary damage to vehicle interiors and electronic equipment. Furthermore, high-quality products have -30℃ antifreeze capability and a shelf life of over 5 years, truly achieving "one-time equipment, long-term protection."
Vehicle-mounted water-based fire extinguishers, powered by technology, combine the natural cooling advantages of water with modern chemical formulas to successfully overcome the complex challenges of high temperatures, electrical activity, and oil content in automotive fires. It's more than just a fire extinguisher; it's an "invisible guardian" of driving safety. Preparing your vehicle with a qualified vehicle-mounted water-based fire extinguisher before an accident occurs is the most practical way to respect life.
