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DON BOSCO ACADEMY OF PAMPANGA, INC.

MABALACAT CITY, PAMPANGA

DOWSING COMBUSTION: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE

EFFECTIVENESS OF HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS AS AN ALTERNATIVE
MATERIAL FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER

A Research Proposal
Presented to the Senior High School Department of
Don Bosco Academy of Pampanga, Inc.

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements in Practical Research 2
Academic Track – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

By:

ALBANO, Anselmo Syrus M.

CORPUZ, Chzyan Gabriel Anthony Q.

LUAT, Michael Joeffry V.

PANGILINAN, Ellah Francheska C.

SANGALANG, Vincent Paulo B.

September 2024

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THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Fire safety has become one of the most urgent concerns globally, especially in the

context of household safety and disaster preparedness. A significant aspect of this is the

availability and effectiveness of fire extinguishers, particularly in preventing small fires

from escalating into catastrophic events. Despite advancements in fire safety technology,

many households still lack access to fire extinguishers due to their high cost and limited

availability. Statistics show that in the Philippines, approximately 45% of homes are not

equipped with fire extinguishers, particularly in low-income areas (Kurata et al., 2022)

and according to a recent study, the Philippines ranks among the most at-risk nations

globally when it comes to severe man-made fire disasters in urban settings (Kurata, et al.,

2022). The lack of affordable fire safety measures continues to pose a significant threat to

households, especially in low-income areas. In rural and urban poor communities, the

unavailability of fire extinguishers exacerbates fire risks, often leading to devastating

consequences.

Fire extinguishers are vital tools designed to combat small fires before they spread

uncontrollably. These devices operate by releasing specific agents that can suppress or

extinguish fires based on the fire classification. There are several types of fire

extinguishers, each filled with materials like water, foam, dry powder, or carbon dioxide,

depending on the nature of the fire they are meant to combat. For example, Class A fire

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extinguishers are designed for materials like wood and paper, while Class B extinguishers

handle flammable liquids such as grease and oil. Despite the effectiveness of these tools

in fire suppression, the high cost of traditional extinguishers prevents many households

from purchasing them. According to a study by Mishra & Aithal (2022), the cost of fire

extinguishers can be prohibitive, leading to inadequate fire safety preparedness among

low-income households

The most concerning issue regarding household fires, particularly kitchen fires, is

the occurrence of grease fires. Grease fires, or Class F fires, are caused by cooking oils

that reach extreme temperatures and ignite, presenting a unique danger. Traditional fire

extinguishers, particularly water-based ones, can exacerbate these fires by causing oil to

splatter, thus spreading flames (Daouda et al., 2024). Specialized extinguishers, such as

those using Class F agents, are essential for effectively combating grease fires, yet many

households remain unaware of their existence (Maestro et al., 2024). This lack of

awareness contributes to the prevalence of grease fire incidents, as ineffective methods,

like using water, are commonly employed (Hasrianto et al., 2023).

In recent years, the majority of fire safety studies are focused on standard fire

extinguishers and how well they work against different types of fires. It does indicate a

gap in the literature with respect to the experimental research that specifically

investigates household materials for Class F fires. To add to that there is a gap regarding

the use of other common household materials, such as soap, water, salt, in addition to

baking soda and vinegar, for fire extinguishing purposes. This gap is classified as a

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Classic Literature Gap, which refers to areas that remain unexplored or underexplored in

existing research (Parker, 2024)).

While studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of baking soda and vinegar in

fire suppression, there is a lack of comprehensive research examining the potential of

combining these materials with other household items, such as water, salt and soap . This

presents a valuable opportunity to explore a broader range of accessible and cost-

effective materials that might offer practical alternatives for fire extinguishing, especially

in resource-limited settings.

Thus, to address the gap in fire safety preparedness, researchers have explored the

use of common household materials—baking soda, vinegar, soap, salt, and water—as

substitutes for traditional fire extinguishers, particularly for grease fires. These materials

have unique chemical properties that can effectively suppress small fires. Dry powder

extinguishers, commonly used in fire safety, utilize chemical compositions to tackle fires

by absorbing heat, melting, and coating the fuel to prevent it from releasing flammable

vapors. This process simultaneously blocks oxygen access, addressing two components

of the fire triangle: heat and oxygen. Monoammonium phosphate is the most widely used

powder in extinguishers, but sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and potassium

bicarbonate are also used, though less effective against wood and paper fires.

Baking soda, when heated, releases carbon dioxide, which suffocates flames by

displacing oxygen (Liu et al., 2024). Salt acts similarly, creating a barrier that prevents

oxygen from reaching the flames, making it particularly useful for grease fires (Raiford,

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2024). While salt is effective, large quantities are needed for significant fire control,

limiting its practicality in large-scale fires. Vinegar, composed primarily of water and

containing a small amount of acetic acid, has fire-suppressing potential due to its water

content. Despite popular misconceptions, vinegar does not intensify fires; instead, it may

slow or extinguish them by cooling the flames and diluting heat sources (Raiford, 2024).

A mixture of vinegar and baking soda produces carbon dioxide, which can extinguish a

candle flame by displacing oxygen in a contained environment, further demonstrating the

potential of household items in fire suppression.

Soap and soapy water also exhibit some fire-extinguishing properties. Soap foam,

for example, can create a suppressive layer over flames, aiding in fire control, though this

method is limited to certain types of fires (Raiford, 2024). However, there are risks

associated with using soap in fires, as some liquid soap products can release carbon

monoxide and carbon dioxide when burned, posing toxicity hazards.

Research on sodium bicarbonate-based agents has shown that modifications can

enhance fire suppression capabilities, indicating that household items could be optimized

for better performance in emergency situations (Zhou et al., 2024; Zhang et al., 2024).

Despite their promise, the practical limitations and risks associated with using household

materials highlight the need for comprehensive testing in diverse fire scenarios to validate

their efficacy and safety.

The study will be conducted at ( NOT YET SURE), where controlled experiments

will be performed to assess the effectiveness of common household materials, such as

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baking soda, vinegar, soap, water and salt, in extinguishing Class F (grease) fires. The

research will follow an experimental methodology, creating controlled fire scenarios to

evaluate the fire-suppressing capabilities of these substances. Various mixtures and

combinations of these materials will be tested under standardized conditions to ensure

accuracy and reliability. Each experiment will be repeated multiple times to ensure

consistency in results, with safety protocols strictly observed throughout the process. The

data collected will be analyzed to determine which household materials are most effective

for fire suppression, focusing on practicality and real-world application, particularly in

low-income households where traditional fire extinguishers may not be available.

There is a pressing problem, according to the article in Sarao (2024), the Bureau

of Fire Protection (BFP) spokesperson, Annalee Atienza, Fire Senior Superintendent,

stated that "10,996 fire incidents were reported during the period—a larger number than

the 8,182 registered in the same period the previous year. As a result, from January to

June 10 of this year, there were 34.4 percent more fire incidents in the Philippines,

according to authorities, with the majority of these occurring in residential areas."

Moreover, in an article stated by Roa (2020), "on Sunday afternoon in Capoocan,

Leyte, four houses were reduced to ashes due to an unattended cooking fire that happened

due to falling asleep. No one was hurt, and the fire incident lasted for an hour; however, it

burned 4 houses down; it also led to casualties of PHP 1.7 million worth of damage. This

happened in Ormoc City, Leyte."

Additionally, many Filipino households lack fire extinguishers, particularly in

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low-income and rural areas where such safety equipment is considered an unaffordable

luxury. When a fire breaks out, especially a grease fire in the kitchen, the absence of

appropriate fire suppression tools can lead to devastating consequences. Common

practices, such as attempting to douse the flames with water in the grease fire, are

ineffective and dangerous, as water exacerbates the grease fire even more. The reliance

on ineffective methods underscores the need for accessible fire suppression alternatives.

By showcasing the lack of fire safety resources in many households, in addition to the

article (Tmt, 2016) that stated the findings of an April 2016 survey on fire hazards and

security, which indicated that "a concerning situation exists in Filipino households as

only 17% of them have installed fire protection devices, compared to 97% of commercial

structures that have installed them," this study aims to address the problem of fire risk in

homes where traditional fire extinguishers are unavailable.

Cooking is a frequent household activity that carries significant fire risks due to

the high temperatures involved. Between 2017 and 2021, cooking caused 158,400 home

fires annually in the U.S., representing 44% of all home fires. These incidents resulted in

4,150 civilian injuries (42% of home fire injuries) and 470 civilian deaths (18% of home

fire fatalities). Cooktops and ranges were responsible for 53% of these fires, contributing

to 88% of cooking fire deaths and 74% of injuries. Electric ranges were particularly

hazardous compared to gas ranges, with unattended cooking being the leading cause of

these fires. Although rare, clothing ignition accounted for 7% of cooking fire deaths

(McKelvey, 2023).

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In the Philippines, the fire risk is worsened by inadequate fire suppression

systems in households. Data from The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) revealed a

significant increase in fire incidents: 3,044 occurrences were reported between January 1

and March 1, 2024, compared to 2,424 during the same period in 2023. Open flame

cooking is a major contributor to these fires, raising the risk of unintentional ignitions and

making it harder to control flames. This cooking method often lacks sufficient

monitoring, especially in densely populated areas with limited fire protection resources.

The 2023 BFP report indicated a 21.1% rise in fire incidents nationwide, totaling 15,900

fires, which is particularly concerning in urban areas where fires can quickly escalate into

large-scale disasters (Cariaso, 2024).

In the statistics of 2019, a survey on fire dangers and security found that just 17%

of Filipino households have installed fire safety equipment, compared to 97% of

commercial buildings. This is an "alarming" state of affairs (Lazo, 2016). This alarmingly

low percentage underscores a critical deficiency in fire prevention measures across the

majority of households. The widespread absence of adequate fire safety systems

significantly exacerbates the risk and severity of fire incidents, especially in densely

populated urban areas. This gap in fire safety infrastructure not only heightens the

vulnerability of residents but also compounds the challenges faced by emergency

services, leading to more severe and widespread damage in the event of a fire.

Additionally, stated in the article, that fire extinguishers play a vital role in this

preventive strategy, offering a first line of defense against the spread of fire. That can

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save lives and property by mitigating or putting out the small fires before this leads to a

worse situation or containing it until the department arrives. Their immediate availability

and effectiveness can significantly curb the impact of a fire, making them indispensable

in safeguarding lives and property. (Fire Extinguishers | NFPA, n.d.)

Hence, the rationale of this study takes into account that the Philippines is a

tropical nation with frequent high temperatures and fire threats, fire safety is vitally

relevant. Fire danger is a continuous issue that needs to be addressed quickly and

effectively to stop damage and fatalities. Conventional fire extinguishers are readily

available and functional, although they are mainly found in high-risk areas of a fire, such

as offices, apartments, and schools. According to the survey on fire hazards and security

conducted in April 2016, “There is a concerning situation in Filipino households, since

only 17% of them have installed fire protection devices, whereas commercial structures

have installed 97% of them” (Tmt, 2016). This gap underscores the urgent need for

affordable and easily accessible fire mitigation options, particularly for households, to

ensure that both people and property are protected. Promoting low-cost, easy-to-use fire

extinguishers and increasing fire safety education could bridge this gap, preventing

potential damage and saving lives.

Precautions against fire could become more accessible to a larger number of

people, especially in underprivileged areas, if alternative materials that are more readily

available and cost-effective are used. Unlike modern fire extinguishers, which often rely

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on expensive chemicals and materials, the identification of affordable, eco-friendly

alternatives would reduce production costs and increase the accessibility of fire safety

equipment for homes and small businesses. This would greatly benefit resource-poor

areas. By using recyclable or biodegradable replacement materials, such as common

household materials like baking soda, vinegar, salt, water, and soap, fire extinguishers

could become both environmentally friendly and aligned with Sustainable Development

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This approach also encourages the use of

accessible, eco-friendly resources, reducing waste in the process.

This research can shape public safety campaigns and fire emergency guidelines

by providing Filipino households with affordable, accessible, and eco-friendly

alternatives. Promoting these options could greatly help to reduce fire incidents and

fatalities, especially in areas where conventional fire safety equipment is often lacking.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of common household

materials—baking soda, vinegar, soap, and salt—in extinguishing Class F kitchen fires.

By evaluating these materials as potential fire-fighting agents, the research seeks to

provide a cost-effective and easily accessible alternative to traditional fire extinguishers.

Additionally, the goal is to enhance fire safety in households, particularly in low-

income and rural areas where conventional fire extinguishing equipment may be scarce or

unaffordable. This study aims to provide practical solutions that can be readily

implemented in settings with limited resources, ultimately improving safety and reducing

fire-related hazards in everyday environments.

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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of common

household materials—namely baking soda, vinegar, soap, water, and salt as a fire

extinguishing agent. Specifically, the study seeks to determine how this combination

performs in suppressing type F fires (kitchen fires). Understanding its effectiveness could

provide valuable insights into alternative, accessible fire-fighting methods and enhance

safety protocols for managing small-scale fires in everyday settings.

In line with this, the researchers seek to:

1. Can a mixture of baking soda, soap, salt, vinegar, and water effectively extinguish

Type F kitchen fires?

2. What is the optimal ratio of baking soda, vinegar, soap, salt, and water for

maximum fire suppression efficiency?

3. Can this alternative method provide a reliable and cost-effective solution for fire

safety in households where traditional fire extinguishers are not available?

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HYPOTHESIS

The mixture of baking soda, soap, salt, vinegar, and water could result in three possible

outcomes when applied to kitchen fires:

1. Effectively extinguish kitchen fires: The mixture may successfully suppress the

fire by smothering it or reducing the fire’s intensity. For example, baking soda

releases carbon dioxide when heated, which helps displace oxygen and put out

small flames.

2. Cause robust combustion: Instead of extinguishing the fire, the mixture could

potentially worsen the situation, especially if water is involved. Water can cause

hot oil to splatter and spread the fire, making the fire more intense.

3. Null (No significant effect): The mixture might not have a noticeable impact,

either due to the components not being effective enough or the quantities used not

being sufficient to extinguish the fire. This could result in the fire continuing to

burn or grow.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study lies in its potential to provide a more affordable, eco-

friendly, and accessible alternative to traditional fire extinguishers, which may not be

readily available in many Philippine households. The findings of this research could

benefit the following:

Households: By identifying a homemade fire extinguishing mixture made from common

household ingredients, this study can empower individuals to manage minor fire incidents

in their homes, enhancing overall safety and preparedness.

Community Organizations: The results of this study can be disseminated to community

organizations, such as local fire departments and disaster response teams, to incorporate

these alternative fire-fighting methods into their safety protocols and training programs.

Research Community: The findings of this study can contribute to the broader scientific

understanding of the effectiveness of alternative fire-fighting materials, potentially

inspiring other researchers to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to fire

safety.

Future Researchers: This study can serve as a foundation for further investigations into

the development and optimization of household-based fire extinguishing solutions,

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expanding the knowledge and research community in this field.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

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