In the UK, fires are classified into different types based on the fuel involved. Understanding these classes is crucial for choosing the correct fire extinguisher. Here are the fire classes and the suitable extinguishers for each:
- Class A Fires: Involve solid materials such as wood, paper, textiles, and some plastics. The fuel source is usually organic, allowing it to burn easily.
- Suitable Extinguishers: Water, foam, dry powder, or wet chemical extinguishers.
- Class B Fires: Involve flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, oils, paints, and some waxes. These do not include cooking oils or fats.
- Suitable Extinguishers: Foam, dry powder, CO2, or some special powder extinguishers.
- Class C Fires: Involve flammable gases like propane, butane, or methane.
- Suitable Extinguishers: Dry powder extinguishers are typically used for gas fires. However, it is often safer to turn off the gas supply than to fight a gas fire.
- Class D Fires: Involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, aluminum, and sodium. These are less common and usually found in industrial or laboratory settings.
- Suitable Extinguishers: Special dry powder extinguishers designed for the specific metal involved.
- Electrical Fires (formerly considered Class E, though this classification is not officially used in the UK anymore): Involve electrical equipment. While technically not a separate class, these fires require non-conductive extinguishing agents.
- Suitable Extinguishers: CO2, dry powder, or foam extinguishers. Note that once the electrical item is unplugged or the electricity is otherwise cut off, the fire becomes one of the other classes (usually Class A).
- Class F Fires: Involve cooking oils and fats, such as in deep fat fryers.
- Suitable Extinguishers: Wet chemical extinguishers specially designed to tackle cooking oil and fat fires.
It’s important to use the correct type of fire extinguisher for the specific class of fire to ensure that the fire is effectively put out and to avoid making the situation worse. For example, using water on a Class B or electrical fire can be dangerous and counterproductive. Always ensure that the right type of extinguisher is available in areas prone to specific types of fires, and that everyone knows which extinguisher to use in each situation.