What is the best way to manage a flammable liquid fire?

Using a fog pattern in a sweeping motion is the most effective way to manage a flammable liquid fire for several reasons. This method helps to cool the flames and protect firefighters from heat. The fog pattern generates small water droplets that can displace heat and can also create a barrier of steam between the fire and the firefighter, reducing the risk of injury.

By employing a sweeping motion, the firefighter can effectively cover a broader area and prevent the fire from spreading while also directing the fog toward the base of the flames, which is crucial in controlling the combustion of flammable liquids. This technique effectively reduces the temperature of the burning material as well as the surrounding environment, providing a safer and more controlled approach to extinguishing the fire.

In contrast, other methods such as using a solid jet stream or trying to completely submerge the flames with water can be less effective. Solid streams can inadvertently send flammable liquid spreading, while simply using water to submerge the flames may not be feasible due to the nature of flammable liquids, which can float on water and continue to burn. Throwing sand may suppress some flames but lacks the cooling and dispersion benefits that a fog pattern provides, making it a less reliable method for effective fire control.