How many gallons of steam does 1 gallon of water expand to at 212°F?

When water is heated to its boiling point of 212°F (100°C), it undergoes a phase change from liquid to steam. This transformation results in a significant increase in volume. Specifically, 1 gallon of water expands to approximately 1,700 gallons of steam at this temperature and under atmospheric pressure.

This tremendous increase in volume is a critical factor in fire suppression applications. When water turns to steam, it not only expands but also displaces oxygen within the area, helping to suppress flames. Understanding this expansion is vital for firefighters, particularly those in facility fire brigades, as it highlights the effectiveness of using water for firefighting and the dynamics involved in storage and delivery systems for water.

The specific figure of 1,700 gallons illustrates the potential energy and power of steam as a suppression agent, emphasizing the importance of knowing how water behaves under different conditions in a firefighting scenario.