Fire classes are divided into five main categories, each representing a specific type of combustible material.
Fire classes
Fire Class A: Solid Material Fires
Fuel: Wood, Fabrics, Paper, Plastics, Cardboard...
Fire category: Fires produced by solid materials or dry, braising fires, slow combustion with no flame or rapid combustion with lively flames.
Fire class B: Flammable liquid fires
Fuel: Hydrocarbons, Solvents, Gasoline, Alcohols, Greases, Oils, Paints...
Fire category: Fires involving liquids or liquefiable solids, or "grease fires". Generally speaking: anything that burns without embers. Electrical fires can be included in this category.
Fire class C: Flammable gas fires
Fuel: Butane, Propane, Acetylene, Natural gas, Manufactured gas
Fire category: Flammable gas fires.
Fire class D: Metal fires
Fuel: Aluminium powder, Phosphorus, Magnesium powder, Sodium, Titanium...
Fire category: Particularly dangerous, since they release hydrogen on contact with water, creating a high risk of explosion. Extinguishing them is therefore generally reserved for specialists.
Fire class F: Grease and cooking oil fires
Fuel: Use of a cooking aid in conjunction with vegetable or animal oil
Fire category: Fires associated with cooking aids. It presents a risk of explosion by vaporization.
Electrical fire class (former class E)
Fuel: In connection with the use of electrical equipment
Fire Category: Flaming live equipment represents a particular risk, since it involves the risk of electrocution for the operator. They must therefore be qualified.
Lithium-Ion battery fire class
Fuel: Lithium-ion batteries
Fire category: Lithium-Ion battery fires. Conventional extinguishing methods are ineffective. Thermal runaway, propagation to other cells and oxygen generation must be fought simultaneously.
Each class of fire requires a specific type of extinguisher for effective and safe extinguishing. It's important to know what class of fire is possible in your environment, and to choose the appropriate extinguisher accordingly.
