Classes of Fire

Classes of Fire
 Class A: Ordinary
combustibles such as
wood, cloth and paper.
 Class B: Flammable
liquids such as gasoline, oil
and oil based paint.
 Class C: Energized
electrical equipment
including wiring, fuse
boxes, circuit breakers,
machinery and appliances.
Fire is the third leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, yet most people
ignore it. More than 150 workplace fires occur every day.

HOW FIRES START

Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of a fuel. It needs three
elements to occur:

FUEL - Fuel can be any combustible material - solid, liquid or gas. Most
solids and liquids become a vapour or gas before they will burn.

OXYGEN - The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. Fire only needs
an atmosphere with at least 16 percent oxygen.

HEAT - Heat is the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the

fuel to a point where sufficient vapours are given off for ignition to occur.

CHEMICAL REACTION - A chain reaction can occur when the three

elements of fire are present in the proper conditions and proportions. Fire
occurs when this rapid oxidation or burning takes place.

Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be
extinguished if it was already burning.
 Fire Extinguisher Ratings:
Which kind of extinguisher should I use?

Class A:

Fires are ordinary materials like burning

paper, lumber, cardboard, plastics etc.
Class B:

Fires involve flammable or combustible

liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, and
common organic solvents used in the
laboratory.
 Fire Extinguisher Ratings:
Which kind of extinguisher should I use?

Class C :

Fires involve energized electrical equipment,

Such as appliances, switches, panel boxes,
power tools, hot plates and stirrers.

Water is usually a dangerous extinguishing

medium for Class C fires because of the risk of
electrical shock unless a specialized water mist
extinguisher is used.
 Fire Extinguisher Ratings:
Which kind of extinguisher should I use?

Class D :
Fires involve combustible metals, such as
magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium as
well as pyrophoric organ metallic reagents such
as alkyl lithiums, Grignard's and diethyl zinc.

These materials burn at high temperatures and

will react violently with water, air, and/or other
chemicals.

Handle with care!!

 Fire Extinguisher Ratings:
Which kind of extinguisher should I use?

Class K fires are kitchen fires. This class was added to the NFPA
portable extinguishers Standard 10 in 1998. Kitchen extinguishers
installed before June 30, 1998 are "grand fathered" into the
standard.

Some fires may be a combination of these! Your fire extinguishers

should have ABC ratings on them. These ratings are determined
under ANSI/UL Standard 711 and look something like "3-A:40-
B:C". Higher numbers mean more fire fighting power. In this
example, the extinguisher has a good fire fighting capacity for
Class A, B and C fires. NFPA has a brief description of UL 711 if
you want to know more.
 Fire Extinguisher Multi-Class Ratings

Many extinguishers available today can be used on different

types of fires and will be labelled with more than one designator,
e.g. A-B, B-C, or A-B-C. Make sure that if you have a multi-
purpose extinguisher it is properly labelled.

This is the old style of labelling indicating suitability for use on Class
A, B, and C fires.
 Fire Extinguisher Multi-Class Ratings

This is the new style of labelling that shows this extinguisher may be
used on Ordinary Combustibles, Flammable Liquids, or Electrical
Equipment fires.
This is the new labelling style with a diagonal red line drawn through
The picture to indicate what type of fire this extinguisher is NOT
suitable for. In this example, the fire extinguisher could be used on
Ordinary Combustibles and Flammable Liquids fires, but not for
electrical Equipment fires.
 How to Prevent Fires
Class A — Ordinary combustibles:
Keep storage and working areas free of trash place oily rags in covered containers.

Class B — Flammable liquids or gases:

Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space, especially in the
presence of an open flame such as a furnace or water heater.
Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment while it's hot.
Class C — Electrical equipment:
Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings. Report any
hazardous condition to your supervisor.
Don't misuse fuses. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for the circuit.
Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more than two plugs.
Class D — Flammable metals:
Flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium generally take a very hot heat
source to ignite; however, once ignited are difficult to extinguish as the burring
reaction produces sufficient oxygen to support combustion, even under water.
 DECIDING TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Ask yourself each of the questions before attempting to extinguish
a fire. If you answer “NO” to any of these questions
Leave the building immediately.

Can I escape quickly and safely from the area if I

Leave
attempt to extinguish the fire? No
Immediately
Yes

Do I have the right type of extinguisher? No Leave

Immediately
Yes

Is the extinguisher large enough for the fire? No Leave

Immediately
Yes

Is the area free from other dangers such as No Leave

hazardous materials and falling debris? Immediately
Yes

EXTINGUISH THE FIRE

 How to Use Fire Extinguisher
Even though extinguishers come in a number of shapes and sizes, they all operate in a
similar manner. Here's an easy acronym for fire extinguisher use:

P A S S -- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep

Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the
handle from being accidentally pressed.
Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire.
Stand approximately 8 feet away from the fire and
Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher. If you
release the handle, the discharge will stop.
Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire.
After the fire appears to be out, watch it carefully since it
may re-ignite!
REMEMBER:
Should your path of escape be threatened.
Should the extinguisher run out of agent.
Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective.
Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire

...THEN LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY