The Different Classes of Fire

A Class A fire extinguisher is designed to extinguish fires that involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, or cloth. These types of extinguishers are filled with water or a foam solution that smothers the fire by cutting off its oxygen supply.

A Class B fire extinguisher is used for fires that involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, or paint. These extinguishers typically use a dry chemical agent such as monoammonium phosphate that smothers the fire by creating a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen.

A Class C fire extinguisher is used for fires that involve electrical equipment such as appliances, tools, or wiring. These extinguishers use a non-conductive agent such as carbon dioxide (CO2) to smother the fire and remove the heat source.

A Class D fire extinguisher is used for fires that involve flammable metals such as magnesium, titanium, or potassium. These extinguishers use a dry powder agent that smothers the fire by removing the heat source and preventing the metal from reacting with oxygen.

A Class K fire extinguisher is used for fires that involve cooking oils and fats in commercial kitchens. These extinguishers use a wet chemical agent that cools the oil and creates a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen, which smothers the fire.

It is important to note that different fire extinguishers are designed for specific types of fires and using the wrong type of extinguisher can be dangerous and ineffective in extinguishing the fire.