What Are The 5 Different Classes Of Fires?

12/1/2022 (Permalink)

Each fire requires different types of extinguishers and safety procedures.

The Five Different Classifications Of Fires

A fire can be a dangerous and destructive force of nature. But fires aren't all the same, and each one requires different types of extinguishers and safety procedures to put it out. In this article, we'll discuss the five different classifications of fires: Class A, B, C, D and K. By understanding how each type of fireworks, you can better protect yourself from potential harm while preparing for the worst-case scenario.

Class A fires

As the name suggests, Class A fires are ordinary combustibles such as paper, cloth, wood, and rubber. These are the easiest to extinguish because they are the easiest to see and feel. They can be put out with water or CO2 fire extinguishers.

Class B fires

Class B fires are those that involve combustible materials other than wood, cloth, rubber, and plastics. Examples of Class B fires include:

• Liquids that can form flammable mixtures with air or substances that produce toxic vapors when they burn.
• Gases (other than carbon monoxide) that burn with a color equivalent to the flame produced by a candle of the same diameter in air under normal conditions. Some examples are propane and butane.
• Flammable liquids that produce toxic fumes when burned (for example paint thinner).

Class C fires

A Class C fire is a combustible metal fire. This includes any type of electrical wiring and tools that use wires to start fires, such as soldering irons, arc welders and plasma cutters. The most common fuel for this type of fire is copper wire.

Class D fires

Class D fires are the most dangerous of all and the most difficult to extinguish. They include flammable metals and liquids, such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel and other corrosive liquids. Class D fires must be extinguished with Class D fire extinguishers, which are pressurized to a higher level than other types of fire extinguishers.

The reason these types of fires are so dangerous is because they can rapidly spread across a large surface area; they produce dense black smoke that reduces visibility. They react violently with water, and their vapors may cause suffocation or chemical burns if inhale. It can also be hard for fire fighters to access them due to their location, because they often occur inside enclosed spaces where there isn't enough oxygen available for breathing. And because of the nature of the ignition in Class D fires, these fires are extremely difficult to extinguish and must be treated with the utmost care. Always call in professionals for Class D fires!

Class K fires

Class K fires include: 

• Electrical Equipment Fires
• Fuel Gas Fires (including natural gas and propane)

In the end, it’s not about the fire itself. It’s about how you prepare for it. When you know the various classes of fires, you can better prepare yourself and others around you for any possibility.