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AIBU?

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Original poster

Throwing water on an out of control Bunsen burner flame. Yes or no?

61 replies

ruethewhirl · 18/11/2025 16:32

Setting is a dental surgery. I'll provide more context shortly, but for now I just want to get some reactions to the question.

YABU = this is OK
YANBU = this isn't the right procedure

OP posts:
GasPanic · 18/11/2025 16:47

Shouldn't there be some sort of safety procedure, risk assessment for this happening ?

And if so you should refer to that re what action you should take rather than a poll on here by randoms who have no clue.

Hibernatingtilspring · 18/11/2025 16:47

I would have thought its pretty obvious not to throw water on a bunsen flame, though I could imagine someone panicking in the moment and not thinking (though I hope it's not someone who is supposed to know, ie who works there and had some health and safety training)

IsThisTheWaytoSlamMyPillow · 18/11/2025 16:45

Not ideal but an understandable panicked reaction, especially if no fire safety training has been provided and/or no fire blanket within immediate reach. Most employees are advised NOT to tackle a fire but to raise the alarm and evacuate and shouldn’t use an extinguisher without adequate training.

If this was you @ruethewhirltry not to worry about being in trouble, you did what a lot of people would do, especially if you’d not had any fire safety training. Hopefully it will lead to a review of H&S and some training.

If it was someone who should have known better (e.g. practice manager/owner, the emergency services or a H&S rep) I’d sit back and wait for the shit to hit the fan!

maudelovesharold · 18/11/2025 16:45

I’m assuming that you witnessed someone do this, rather than you’re waiting to take a consensus from MN before acting! Did it work?

Arlanymor · 18/11/2025 16:40

On an out of control flammable gas fire use a Class C fire extinguisher (powder). And ideally turn off the gas supply, but only if it's safe to do so and you can reach it without endangering yourself.

Edited to say - NO to water.

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 18/11/2025 16:37

This is something that comes up every time I visit a Victorian dental practice. I simply use the nearest dental floss to whip the flame out like a circus act.

TaupeRaven · 18/11/2025 16:37

Turning off the gas supply would be the right thing to do.

Curious about what you mean by "out of control" flame? Unless something else was ignited by it, I'm struggling to see how it could be out of control? (But I know nothing about science tbf)

ultraviolet4753 · 18/11/2025 16:36

No, you cut off the gas supply.

WildestDreamer · 18/11/2025 16:35

Shut of the gas supply!

maudelovesharold · 18/11/2025 16:35

Shouldn’t you just turn off the source of the gas? What kind of dental surgery uses a Bunsen burner?

ChaToilLeam · 18/11/2025 16:35

Depends what it's igniting or about to ignite. Turn the gas off and use a fire blanket if available.