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Sujay Fire LLP

Types of Fire

Fires are classified by fuel type. Using the wrong extinguisher can make a fire significantly worse. Know the class before you act.

AOrdinary CombustiblesBFlammable LiquidsCFlammable GasesDCombustible MetalsEElectrical FiresK / FCooking Oils & Fats
A

Class AOrdinary Combustibles

Class A fires involve ordinary solid combustible materials that leave ash behind when they burn. These are the most common fires in offices, homes, and public buildings.

Common Examples

  • Wood & Timber
  • Paper & Cardboard
  • Fabric & Textiles
  • Rubber & Plastics
  • Furniture

✓ Correct Extinguisher

  • ABC Dry Powder
  • Water CO2
  • Mechanical Foam (AFFF)

✗ Do NOT Use

  • CO2 alone (ineffective — no cooling)
  • CO2 type extinguisher (no knock-back on solids)
B

Class BFlammable Liquids

Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids. These fires spread rapidly and can re-ignite if the fuel vapour is not blanketed or cooled.

Common Examples

  • Petrol & Diesel
  • Kerosene & LDO
  • Paints & Solvents
  • Lubricating Oils
  • Adhesives

✓ Correct Extinguisher

  • ABC Dry Powder
  • Mechanical Foam (AFFF)
  • CO2
  • Clean Agent

✗ Do NOT Use

  • Water (spreads burning liquid)
  • Water CO2 (never on flammable liquids)
C

Class CFlammable Gases

Class C fires involve flammable gases. The primary action is to isolate the gas supply — suppression alone is dangerous as unburnt gas can accumulate and explode.

Common Examples

  • LPG (Cooking Gas)
  • CNG (Compressed Natural Gas)
  • Hydrogen
  • Acetylene
  • Methane

✓ Correct Extinguisher

  • ABC Dry Powder (to knock back flames)
  • CO2 (temporary knockback)

✗ Do NOT Use

  • Water
  • Foam
  • Never suppress without isolating the gas source
D

Class DCombustible Metals

Class D fires involve combustible metals that burn at extremely high temperatures. Standard extinguishers are ineffective and can make things worse — specialist dry powder is required.

Common Examples

  • Magnesium
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Titanium
  • Aluminium Swarf

✓ Correct Extinguisher

  • Specialist Class D Dry Powder (L2 or Met-L-X)
  • Dry sand (emergency)

✗ Do NOT Use

  • Water (violent reaction)
  • CO2 (violent reaction with some metals)
  • Standard ABC Powder
E

Class EElectrical Fires

Class E (electrical) fires involve energised electrical equipment. The primary hazard is electrocution — only non-conductive agents should be used, and the supply should be isolated if safe to do so.

Common Examples

  • Electrical Panels & DBs
  • Servers & Data Centres
  • Motors & Generators
  • Switchgear
  • UPS Systems

✓ Correct Extinguisher

  • CO2 (safest — non-conductive, no residue)
  • Clean Agent (FK-5-1-12)
  • ABC Dry Powder (last resort — damages equipment)

✗ Do NOT Use

  • Water
  • Foam
  • Any water-based agent
K / F

Class K / FCooking Oils & Fats

Class K (US) / Class F (European/Indian) fires involve cooking oils and fats at high temperatures. These require a specialist wet chemical agent — standard extinguishers are inadequate and water is catastrophically dangerous.

Common Examples

  • Vegetable Cooking Oils
  • Animal Fats (ghee, lard)
  • Deep-Fat Fryers
  • Commercial Kitchens
  • Tallow & Margarine

✓ Correct Extinguisher

  • Wet Chemical (Class F / Class K) Extinguisher
  • Fire Blanket (for small pan fires)

✗ Do NOT Use

  • Water (explosive steam flash)
  • CO2 (blows burning oil)
  • ABC Powder
  • Foam

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