An Experimental Study on the Effectiveness of Baking Soda

(Sodium bicarbonate), Water (Dihydrogen monoxide),

Salt (Sodium chloride), Vinegar (Acetic acid),

and Soap (Sodium hydroxide) as an

Alternative Mixture for a Fire

Extinguisher

In Partial Fulfillment

for the requirements

in Elective 9

Aizawa, Yumiko R.

Pagaduan, Audrey Raine B.

Saquing, Ayrish Kriezl

Alejandro, Jerick Luis

Borja, Raymond Malcolm II

Gallo, Jose Jerome F.

Santos, James Mathew T.

 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

According to Jonathan Mayuga of

BusinnesMirror.com.ph, awareness to fire prevention tips and

procedures is lacking among many Filipinos. This research is

about making an alternative fire extinguisher mixture made

up of Baking Soda ( Sodium bicarbonate ), Water (Dihydrogen

monoxide), Vinegar ( Acetic acid ) and Soap ( Sodium

hydroxide ). These materials are proven to be fire resistant

due to the fact that Baking Soda is the main component of

the original fire extinguisher that we commonly know of,

water because it lowers the temperature of fires and blocks

out the supply of oxygen thus putting it out, and vinegar,

soap and salt are proven to put out fires too. The

researchers aim to measure the effectiveness of the said

extinguisher.

BACKGROUND

Fires are now rising heavily these past few years.

Most of the Filipinos, especially those in the rural areas,

constantly hear fire truck sirens from morning until

midnight. The reasons of the possible rise of fire include:

the materials of the houses built in Metro Manila are light

and combustible, the uncautious actions of people around

flammable objects, the faulty wiring in our electrical

appliances, and of course, the lack of fire extinguishers in

our houses and buildings. According to Britannica(2017) , a

fire extinguisher is a portable or movable apparatus used to

put out a small fire by directing onto it a substance that

cools the burning material, deprives the flame of oxygen, or

interferes with the chemical reactions occurring in the

flame. Unlike water itself, a fire extinguisher is a more

effective tool in putting out a fire because it has certain

chemicals that can not only put out house fires, but

electrical and kitchen fires at the same time. In most

buildings, specifically schools, offices, condominiums, and

apartments, there are fire extinguishers in almost every

area in the place; however, there are some places and

instances where there are no fire extinguishers around. The

lack of these canisters in some buildings can either be due

to the minimum wage of some Filipino workers, due to our

culture where it is not common to have a fire extinguisher

at home, or due to the fact where it is not required by law

to have one of these at home individually. The only problem

is that what if there's suddenly a fire at home and a bucket

of water is not enough to put it out? That is why in this

research, the researchers plan to create an alternative

mixture for a fire extinguisher that is entirely made out of

baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), water (Dihydrogen

Monoxide), vinegar (acetic acid), salt (sodium chloride),

and soap (sodium hydroxide). This product is beneficial to

all of the Filipinos, especially those who are living in the

rural areas, because the materials used in this product are

guaranteed to put out fire and at the same time, this only

costs in an affordable price for all of the Filipino

workers, even if they have minimum wage. This can stand

against the fire extinguisher we have today because unlike

the red canister, this product of theirs is made from

reasonable priced materials and at the same time the

materials given can put out a certain fire individually. In

this chapter, the researchers will show the background of the

study, statement of the problem, its significance, coverage,

and outcome.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Will the alternative mixture for a fire

extinguisher made out of baking soda, water, vinegar, salt

and soap be effective in terms of:

A. Effectiveness

B. Convenience

HYPOTHESIS
 The mixing of baking soda, water, salt, vinegar and

soap will be effective components for an alternative

mixtures for a fire extinguisher. The researchers needs to

know if the ingredients of the alternative mixtures are

compatible together and can instantly put out fire just as

the common fire extinguisher today.

SIGNIFICANCE

For the researchers, they will be able to

significantly contribute to the improvement of the country

and the environment's protection.

For the school, they will be able to benefit

through the savings they could get by shifting from an

expensive ABC dry powder extinguisher to the alternative

fire extinguisher which savings may be diverted to

improvement of school facilities, salaries of school

employees, and granting scholarships to deserving students.

For the community, Since the materials used are

affordable, more houses and business establishments can have

fire extinguishers which would make the community safer from

tragic fire incidents.

For the country, Due to the reasonable price of

the researchers' product, the economy of the country will

rise and it will help improve the fire extinguisher industry

and make the Philippines a fire hazard free country.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This study will cover the effectiveness of the

alternative mixture of a fire extinguisher, made up of

baking soda, water, vinegar, salt and soap which are

contained inside a plastic bottle that can easily explode

when exposed to fire, based on its efficiency and

convenience. The study will not cover the longevity of the

mixture due to the fact that it cannot be traced using a

specific tool.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms are the unfamiliar words found in this

research:

ABC Dry Powder. Is a multi-purpose powder ( made out of

Ammonium or Mono-ammonium phosphate ) that is used in the

original fire extinguisher.

Apparatus. Another term for equipment; used to describe fire

Extinguisher.

PARAD I G M O F TH E STU DY

· Materials: · Experimenting on the · An Alternative Fire

Extinguisher out of
alternative mixture Baking soda, Water,
- Baking Soda
Salt, Vinegar and
- Water · Observing Data Soap.
- Salt · Finalizing Results

- Vinegar

- Soap

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

THE COMBUSTION PROCESS

According to a website named Fire Safety Advice

Centre, there are four main elements to a fire, which are

shown in a triangle shape, depicting the said elements,

called a tetrahedron or a fire triangle. For many years the

concept of fire was symbolized by the Triangle of Combustion

and represented, fuel, heat, and oxygen. Further fire

research determined that a fourth element, a chemical chain

reaction, was a necessary component of fire. Further on, A

tetrahedron can be described as a pyramid which is a solid

having four plane faces. Essentially all four elements must

be present for fire to occur, fuel, heat, oxygen, and a

chemical chain reaction. Removal of any one of these

essential elements will result in the fire being

extinguished.

2016
SOAP-WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHER

According to Web Japan, Putting out a firewith foam made

fromsoapwater uses just one-seventeenth as much water as

puttingoutafirewith just water (Thanks to the detergent in

thesoap, the foam contains water, which increases its fire-

extinguishing power.). Specifically, the soap water made

here is detergent soap.

July 2008

CHEMICAL REACTION BETWEEN VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA

According to Umanitoba, In order for a candle to burn,

oxygen (O2) is required. Vinegar mixed with dissolved baking

soda causes a quick chemical reaction that creates the

product carbon dioxide (CO2). If the chemical reaction

occurs inside a beaker containing a lit candle, the carbon

dioxide created will accumulate and push out the oxygen,

thus extinguishing the flame.

2003

SALT PUTTING OUT GREASE FIRES

According to Life Hacker, Baking soda puts out fires by

releasing carbon dioxide and smothering the fire, but if the

fire is burning violently enough, the convection created by

the fire pulls in enough oxygen to offset the smothering

effect. Salt, on the other hand, apparently is a great

absorber of heat for its volume. It sucks so much heat out

of the grease that it simply can't support combustion

anymore.

2013

FIRE EXTINGUISHED BY WATER

According to The Science PT, Water puts out fire by

creating a barrier between the fuel source and the oxygen

source (it also has a cooling effect which has to do with

the energy required to convert liquid water into water

vapor). It does this because it is a completely, 100%

oxidized material. It simply cannot oxidize any further so

it will not burn. This smothers the fire. The same thing

would happen if the ashes that remained after

a completely spent fire will be used. Or, as mentioned

before, CO2.

2016

PERCENTAGE OF FIRE INCIDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

According to this website, fire incidents in the Philippines

dropped by 50 percent in February 2018.The number of fire

incidents declined in February compared to the same period

last year, indicating an increase in public awareness of

fire prevention, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

announced yesterday. Supt. Gilbert Dolot, director for BFP —

Fire Safety and Prevention said there were only 581 fire

incidents from Feb.1 to 28 compared to the same period last

year with 1,268 or a significant decrease of 54.18 percent.

Also, according to this,legal electrical connections,

octopus wiring and overloading of electrical circuits were

the common causes of fire.

2018

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

TYPES OF RESEARCH

In this study, the researchers will be doing a

qualitative type of research where they will present how

their alternative mixture can be able to put out a fire and

why must they create a substitute on the extinguisher

Filipinos know today.

RESEARCH DESIGN

The researchers will be conducting an experimental

research design due to the fact that this is the best choice
for their alternative mixture in solving their statement of

the problem and purpose of their study.

The researchers chose this kind of study because

it involves different procedures and tests that need to be

followed in the product they need to create. This kind of

study can help them use the scientific method in terms of

creating, observing, and testing it to see if it is as

effective and can be used by everyone without any harm.

TARGET POPULATION

The target population for this research defined to

include the families who are living in the urban cities

because according to current statistics, the people who are

at a high risk of having a fire at home are the ones who

have a family since these people commonly consume a ton of

amount of electricity and fossil fuels in the house; the

families who live at Baranggay 479 in Sampaloc, Manila are

the ones who are at the researchers reach.

In this study, the accessible target population of

the researchers is composed of 5 families who live in the

city of Manila. This population is also the perfect choice

for the researchers study because as stated back in Chapter

1, the people who commonly have fires in their area are the

ones who live in the urban cities. To make sure that this
research becomes successful, the researchers plan to take

this study to the people who commonly experience this

situation, or possibly who have encountered this instance

before. That is what makes these people the best population

for experimenting on how the product of the researchers is

efficient and convenient enough to use in these times of

need.

SAMPLING DESIGN

A systematic random sampling procedure was chosen

to be used in selecting the participants in the study of the

researchers. This technique was selected in the purpose of

each of the member in the population having an equal chance

of being selected in a methodical manner. In the population,

the researchers will first start the experiment on the

families with the least number of members in the household.

Then it will be increased so on and so forth until to the

point that the questions or the problems of the researchers

are concluded.

INSTRUMENTS FOR DATA COLLECTION

The researchers chose their instruments for

measurement based on the sub-problems of their research,

which is how can their alternative mixture for a fire

extinguisher be effective based on its efficiency and

convenience.

The researchers decided that the instrument they

will use to measure for its efficiency is a metal

thermometer. Before the member of the target population

tests the product in action, the thermometer will first

record the heat of the fire that will be used for testing.

As recorded, the member now uses the alternative mixture to

eliminate the fire. As used, the researchers will use the

thermometer again to see if the temperature before

increased, decreased, or remained constant. If it increased

or remain constant, that can mean the alternative mixture

was not successful enough. If it decreased, that can mean

it was effective enough to eliminate the flame.

In measuring the convenience, the researchers

designed a survey that will be answered by the test

subjects. Convenience has something to do with how easy it

is to use the product that was made. The convenience of a

certain product is determined by the person who used it.

Based on the target population of the researchers, the

people who will be determining how comfortable and easy it

was to use their product will be the families living in the

urban areas. If they say it was easy to use, then the

convenience of the product created by the researchers is

effective for people to use without any hassle.

BIBLIOGRAPHIES

CHEMICAL REACTION BETWEEN VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA

Schultza G. and Lien B. ( 2003 ) Retrieved from:

https://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/crystal/Grade%205/Cluster
%202/5-2-03%20-%20Fire%20Extinguisher%20-%20Discrepant
%20Event.

COMBUSTION PROCESS

(2016) Retrieved from:

https://www.firesafe.org.uk/information-about-the-fire-
triangletetrahedron-and-combustion/

FIRE EXTINGUISHED BY WATER

Meira E. ( 2016 ) Retrieved from:

https://thesciencept.com/breaking-down-water-to-put-out-a-fire

INTRODUCTION

Mayuga, J.L 2018

http://www.google.com/amp/s/businessmirror.com.ph/2018/03/21
/tragedy-of-fires-death-and-destruction-in-the-
philippines/amp

SALT PUTTING OUT GREASE FIRES

Miller T. ( 2013 ) Retrieved from:

https://lifehacker.com/whats-the-best-way-to-safely-put-out-
a-grease-fire-1002810379

SOAP-WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Morita corp ( 2008 ) Retrieved from:

https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/hitech/extinguisher/index.html

PERCENTAGE OF FIRE INCIDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Urrutia J.D, Villaverde S.V, Algario N.T, Malvar R.J and

Oliguano A.B ( 2018 ) Retrieved from:

https://scholar.google.com.ph/scholar?
as_ylo=2015&q=percentage+of+fire+incidents+in+the+philippines&hl=
en&as_sdt=0,5#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DR_9_xJSamt8J