Fire Extinguisher Classes – Canada

Classes of Fire

Fire classes and extinguisher labels are different throughout the world. In Canada, the classes
of fire are similar to the United States.

Class Fuel Sources

A Ordinary combustibles (trash, wood, paper, cloth, most plastics)

B Flammable liquids (oils, grease, tar, gasoline, paints, thinners)

C Electricity (live electrical equipment such as appliances, wiring, outlets)

• NEVER use water to extinguish class C fires

D Combustible metals (magnesium, titanium, potassium)

K Cooking oils, trans-fats, or fats in cooking appliances

For fires involving a combination of these classifications, your fire extinguisher should have
an ABC rating on them.

Fire Extinguishers

Choose the correct class of fire extinguisher for the fire you intend to fight.

Fire extinguisher Fire Class

Air-pressurized Water (APW) Class A fires only
Dry Chemical Class A, B and C fires
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Class B and C fires
Chemical Foam Class A and B fires
Dry and Wet Chemical (for kitchen fires) Class K

Using the wrong extinguisher to fight a fire can have serious consequences. For example, if a
water-based extinguisher is used on a flammable liquid fire, the fire has the potential to flare
up, spread and cause serious injury.

This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental information associated with UL courseware.
© COPYRIGHT Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

T: 1.888.202.3016 / W: ulehssustainability.com
 Fire Extinguisher Classes – Asia

Classes of Fire

Fire classes and extinguisher labels are different throughout the world. There is no specific color code
in Asia, as it varies in every country. Typically, the color code from the United States, United Kingdom,
Korea, Japan, Australia or China may be used. Most Asian countries follow the same rule regarding
types of fire and classifications.

For China, as an example, the classes are as follows:

Fire Class Fuel Sources

A Solids (ordinary combustibles):

Wood, paper

B Liquids (Flammable liquids):

Gasoline, kerosene, diesel oil, methanol, ether, acetone

C Gases (Flammable gases):

Coal gas, natural gas, methane, propane, acetylene, hydrogen

D Combustible Metal:
Potassium, sodium, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, lithium

E Electrical:
Energized electrical equipment

Fire Extinguishers

Choose the correct class of fire extinguisher for the fire you intend to fight.

Fire extinguisher Fire Class

Water A
Foam A, B
ABC A, B, C, E
Dry Powder B, C, E
Carbon Dioxide A, B, C, D, E
Halon A, B, C, D, E

Using the wrong extinguisher to fight a fire can have serious consequences. For example, if a water-
based extinguisher is used on a flammable liquid fire, the fire has the potential to flare up, spread and
cause serious injury.

This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental information associated with UL courseware.
© COPYRIGHT Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

T: 1.888.202.3016 / W: ulehssustainability.com