set of three original c. 1920's antique american industrial galvanized steel sand buckets finished in red with the word "fire" stenciled in black. fire sand buckets or fire buckets were filled with sand to put out fires. typically, the fire buckets are painted bright red and have the word 'fire' stenciled on them in white or black lettering. they are placed in prominent positions in rooms or corridors. the fire buckets are usually made with a round bottom so that they cannot be used for other purposes. fire buckets are hung on fire bucket stands. fire buckets are often kept next to ovens, barbecues, and in government accommodation such as army barrack blocks. they are also commonly found in hyperbaric chambers. because oil fires are resistant to water, a fire sand bucket is used. in order to extinguish the fire, the sand in the bucket is dumped on the fire to starve it of the oxygen it needs to stay alight. this method of fighting liquid fires has generally been replaced by modern foaming agents. the sand from a fire bucket can also be used to absorb spills of flammable liquids and render them less dangerous, by reducing the risk of ignition and explosion. fire buckets are often provided at petrol filling stations to absorb any small fuel spills. each bucket measures 11 x 12 inches. priced individually.