Different Classes of Fire and What They Mean

Class A Fires (Solids)

Class A fires involve solid materials that burn quickly and cause fires. Materials such as wood, cardboard, paper, cloth and plastics fall into this category. This means that various elements in a building can potentially cause a Class A fire. Due to this, Class A fires are commonly recorded as accidental fires across schools, businesses, and homes.

To extinguish a Class A fire, experts recommend using water or a mono-ammonium phosphate extinguisher. However, water is a conductor of electric currents; therefore, it is not advisable to use water as an extinguisher near electrical appliances.

Class B Fires (Liquids)

Class B fires usually occur due to fluid substances. Such liquids are considered highly flammable or explosive. These include chemical constituents in cleaning solvents, paints, fuels and adhesives. Although Class B fires form a lesser percentage of reported fires, they have more fatal repercussions. Due to the severity of these fires, it is crucial to implement preventive measures in storing your chemical solvents at home and work. You can consider keeping them away from areas they can easily explode in.

You can also consider putting labels on these substances to inform persons who come in contact with them appropriately. When a Class B fire starts, the best way to manage it is by smothering it. You can purchase a powder or foam extinguisher for your emergency response to Class B fires.

Class C Fires (Gases)

Gases fuel class C fires. LPG and natural gases can create explosions in an area they are poorly managed in. Therefore, you must ensure that persons working with gases are qualified to do so. To put out a Class C fire effectively and safely, close the gas source then use a dry powder fire extinguisher to put it out.

Class D Fires (Metals)

Metals such as sodium can be considered as a fuel for Class D fires. This is because such metals are regarded as good conductors of heat and support burning. Metals burn or melt at extremely high temperatures. In a fire outbreak, a structure with metallic columns can pose threats in combating it. When managing class d fires involving minor metals, you can use dry sand or earth to put out the fire. Water is not advisable for putting out Class D fires as it can accelerate them. Instead, use dry powder extinguishers.

Electrical Fires

Electrical faults cause electrical fires. These fires can be avoided by having a trained electrician fix your faulty electrical wires and appliances regularly. During an electrical fire, avoid using water. This is because water is a conductor of electricity and would most likely worsen the hazard. Instead, it would be best to use dry powder extinguishers when the fire is low and carbon dioxide when the voltage is higher.

Class F Fires (Cooking Fats & Oils)

Class F fires are fires caused by flammable oils spilled from deep fat frying in the kitchen near an ignition source. While in the kitchen, you shouldn’t leave deep fat frying unattended. You can never predict when a Class F fire can start in the kitchen. You can use a wet chemical extinguisher or a fire blanket to smother the fire out in combating a Class F.