What should be avoided when attempting to extinguish a chemical fire?

When extinguishing a chemical fire, care must be taken with the choice of extinguishing agent because not all chemicals respond well to water. Some chemicals can undergo violent reactions when mixed with water, leading to the spread of the fire or even explosive situations.

Using water can be particularly dangerous for fires involving reactive metals (like sodium or potassium), certain organic solvents, and other chemicals that can generate flammable gases upon contact with water. Therefore, it's critically important to have the correct information or guidelines regarding the specific chemical involved to determine whether water is a safe extinguishing agent.

This understanding emphasizes the need for proper identification of chemicals and reference to safety data sheets (SDS) before deciding on the method of extinguishment in a hazardous materials situation.