blussen

Blussen is the Dutch verb meaning to extinguish a fire or to dampen flames. In English, the closest equivalents are extinguish or damp down. In firefighting and safety contexts, blussen denotes the act of stopping a fire's spread and reducing its heat and flames until it is no longer a danger.

The practice relies on removing one or more elements of the fire triangle—heat, fuel, and oxygen. Cooling with water is the most common method for many fires; smothering or isolation removes oxygen; removing or isolating fuel sources stops the fire from continuing to burn; and using agents such as foam or dry chemical powders can separate fuel from the air or interrupt chemical reactions. Ventilation may be used to control hot gases and prevent reignition.

Equipment and procedures include fire extinguishers with different media (water, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide); hoses; hydrants; and protective gear. The choice of method depends on the fire class (for example, ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, or electrical equipment). Safety guidelines emphasize not using water on energized electrical fires and choosing appropriate extinguishing agents to avoid hazards to bystanders and responders.

Etymology: The word blussen comes from Dutch, used since medieval times in reference to extinguishing fires. In the Netherlands and Flanders, fire safety professionals apply blussen techniques following national and international standards and training.