The 6 Types And Classes Of Fire

And How To Attack Them

Fire can be devastating. Burning, injuring and even killing people.
Damaging buildings and equipment. Interrupting business activities. Of
course, fire prevention is the best way to make sure that fire doesn't
impact you or your business. But you should always have a plan in place
for dealing with fires if they do happen.

If a fire does start, it can spread quickly. Knowing how to attack a fire
before it grows, isn't always straightforward. Not every fire is the same.
Different fires can have different hazards and risks. Use the wrong type of
fire extinguisher could do more harm than good. There are 6 different
classes of fire, and each should be attacked in a different way.

Class A (Solids)
Class A fires are fires involving solids. This type of fuel could be paper
and cardboard, common in offices and manufacturing. It could be
furniture, or fixtures and fittings. It could even be the structure of the
building.

This is one of the most common types of fire because solids are the most
common type of fuel and one that is hard to eliminate. Good
housekeeping should help to keep materials like packaging and waste
reduced, minimizing risks.

The only type of fire extinguisher you should use on a class A fire is the

water extinguisher. This is the most popular type of extinguisher because
it can handle most fires involving solids. But, as a conductor, it should
never be used near electrical equipment.
Class B (Liquids)
Class B fires are fires involving liquids. Many of the fluids, liquids and
chemicals used in workplaces can be flammable or explosive. Like
cleaning fluids, solvents, fuels, inks, adhesives and paints.

According to statistics, in 2010/11 flammable liquids accounted for only

2% of fires, but a massive 21% of fatalities. These fires are rare but more
deadly than other types of fire. So how can you protect yourself?

Make sure you know what flammable liquids are used in your workplace,
and carry out a COSHH assessment. COSHH assessments are a legal
requirement, for any hazardous substances. This about safe storage and
use of these substances, keep them in labelled containers and away from
sources of ignition.

Should a class B fire ignite, foam or powder extinguishers are the

best types of extinguishers to attack this type of fire.

Class C (Gases)
Class C fires are fires involving gases. This could be natural gas, LPG or
other types of gases forming a flammable or explosive atmosphere.

Work with gas is dangerous, and increases fire risk. Keep stored gases in
sealed containers in a safe storage area, and ensure that gas work is
carried out by competent persons.

While extinguishers can be used on class C gas fires, the only safe
method to attack this type of fire is to shut off the gas supply. The
best type of extinguisher to put out the fire only the supply of gas is cut
off, is a dry powder extinguisher.
Class D (Metals)
Metals are not often thought of as a combustible material, some types of
metal can be, like sodium. Metals are also good conductors, helping a fire
spread. All metals will soften and melt at high temperature, which can be
a big problem when metal joists and columns are present in a fire as
structural elements.

Water can actually act as an accelerant on metal fires, so how would you
tackle a class D fire? There are dry powder extinguishers developed to
tackle metal fires. The powder inside the extinguisher may vary
depending on the type of metal risk it is designed for. Small metal fires
can sometimes be smothered with dry earth or sand.

Electrical Fires
This is not strictly a class (class E) of fire, because electricity is more or a
source of ignition than a fuel. However, fires in live electrical equipment
are an additional hazard. You don't want to be using water, or any other
conductor as that could be fatal.

Electrical fires are not given their own full class, as they can fall into any
of the classifications. After all it is not the electricity burning but
surrounding material that has been set alight by the electric current.

Making sure electrical equipment and installations are installed correctly,

and inspected and maintained, will help to reduce the risk of this type of
fire.

While you shouldn't use water to attack an electrical fire, you can use
other types of fire extinguishers. Like carbon dioxide, and dry powder in
low voltage situations. Always turn off the power supply if you can.

Electricity is an extra hazard when fighting fires

Class F (Cooking Fats & Oils)
Deep fat frying and spillages of flammable oils near to heat sources in
kitchens can result in a class F fire.

Never leave food or frying equipment unattended during use. The

only type of fire extinguisher approved for use on cooking oils and fats is
the wet chemical extinguisher. For small class F fires, you could also use a
fire blanket.

What is a Class K Fire Extinguisher?

Fires that are fueled from substances such as commercial cooking oils are classified as Class
K fires. These conflagrations can only be quenched through the use of a Class K fire
extinguisher. It is important for businesses that have commercial kitchens that are susceptible
to these kinds of fires to have the right extinguishers on hand for easy access and use. The
use of more efficient cooking appliances and use of vegetable based cooking oils in
commercial kitchens dictates the use of a hand portable fire extinguisher with greater fire
fighting capacity and cooling effect to combat these very hot and difficult fires.
You may ask, “What is a Class K fire extinguisher?” The answer is that it is an extinguisher
with the ability to use wet chemical agents in order to suppress dangerous fires resulting
from the ignition of oils, grease, and animal or vegetable fats. These extinguishers can
disperse wet agents to a distance of 30 feet. Class K fire extinguishers work by
saponification. Saponification takes place when alkaline mixtures are applied to burning
cooking oil or fat creating a soapy foam on the surface that holds in the vapors and steam and
extinguishes the fire.

Similarity of Class K and Class B Fires

Class K fires are somewhat similar to Class B fires because both of these fires involve
flammable liquids as the fuel source. Both types of fires can spread quickly.

Kitchen Fires
Commercial restaurant kitchens can benefit by having Class K fire extinguishers in place for
emergency use. These extinguishers are useful when the kitchen has a built-in hood
suppression system installed. At Getz Fire Equipment Company, in answering the question
“What is a Class K fire extinguisher?”, we can provide you with information about the most
effective type of extinguisher to have available at your business with respect to the potential
fire threats that exist.
It’s important to understand which fire extinguisher is the most suitable to manage any
potential kitchen fires you may face. For instance, fires that spread in conjunction with high
cooking temperatures involving fats and oils may not be handled effectively with a Class B
unit – they may require a Class K fire extinguisher.

If you’re going to apply the agent to a fire from a Class K fire extinguisher, it should be done
after the suppression system has been activated and the kitchen cooking equipment has been
turned off. There’s an issue involving conductivity to electricity that must be avoided with
the use of these extinguishers.