SECTION 1 – FOAM AGENTS

Page 1-2

CLASSES OF FIRE
There are four broad classes of fire as defined by Class B Fires
Underwriters Laboratories. Three of these represent
the fuel involved, while one, Class C, reflects the
source of ignition. In fact, all Class C fires involve
Class A, Class B, or Class D combustibles. Each of
these classes involves somewhat different modes of
combustion.

Class A Fires

FIGURE 1-4
001144

Class B fires involve flammable or combustible

gases, liquids, greases, and similar materials where
extinguishment is most readily accomplished by ex-
cluding oxygen, inhibiting the release of combustible
vapors, or interrupting the combustion of chain reac-
tion. The combustion of these liquids and gases
FIGURE 1-3 involves rapid vapor-phase oxidation of the fuel, sub-
001143
sequent involvement of more fuel due to radiant
Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials heat, and crackling of the fuel in the vapor phase.
(such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plas- Class B materials are either water soluble (mix with
tics) requiring the heat-absorbing (cooling) effects of water) or water insoluble (will not mix with water).
water and water solutions or the coating effects of Water soluble materials require special alcohol-resis-
certain dry chemicals which retard combustion. tant foam agents that will not dissolve with the fuel.
Class A fires can be further divided into two cate-
gories. Flaming combustion involves the volatile
gases which result from the thermal decomposition
of the fuel; it produces rapid vapor-phase oxidation
of the fuel and heat transfer back to the fuel.
Glowing or deep-seated fires represent combus-
tion within the mass of the fuel and are characterized
by a slow rate of heat loss and a slow rate of reac-
tion between oxygen and fuel. While the two modes
of Class A fires usually occur concurrently, either
type can precede the other depending on the fuel
type and configuration.
 SECTION 1 – FOAM AGENTS
Page 1-3

CLASSES OF FIRE (Continued)

Class C Fires
FIGURE 1-5
001145
Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment
where operator safety requires the use of electrically
non-conductive extinguishing agents. Foam agents
are not recommended for Class C fires due to the
conductivity of the agent resulting from the high
water content. However, when electrical equipment
is de-energized, foam agents may be used.
The combustion of metals involves a rapid oxidation
that depends upon the chemical and physical proper-
ties of the metal involved. Generally, metals burn at
higher temperatures, but with relatively low flame
intensity. In certain configurations, metal fires can
become deep-seated (i.e., magnesium dust) or if dis-
persed in the oxidizer, can be explosive. However,
the nature of the combustion process depends on
the properties of the metal (i.e., zirconium burns
explosively when dry, but when wetted with oil, burns
more quietly).
Foam agents are not recommended for Class D fires
due to the reactivity of some combustible metals with
water.

Class D Fires

FIGURE 1-6
001146

Class D fires involve certain combustible metals

such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium,
potassium, etc., and require a heat-absorbing extin-
guishing agent that does not react with the burning
metal.