Classifications

Class A

Fires involving wood, paper, straw, textile and other combustible solids containing carbonaceous material.

Suitable extinguishers - Water, AFFF Foam, Dry Powder.

Class B

Fires involving petrol, oils, fats, solvents, paints and other flammable liquids.

Suitable extinguishers - AFFF Foam, Dry Powder, and CO2.

Standard AFFF as used in foam extinguishers is not generally suitable for extinguishing fires involving alcohol or alcohol based solvents in depth.

Class C

Fires containing flammable gases such as methane, acetate and manufactured or natural gas, etc.

IMPORTANT

Class C fires can present a considerable explosion risk if the fire is extinguished by means other than turning off the gas supply. For this reason, untrained personnel should be discouraged from using extinguishers on gaseous fires.

Personnel trained in extinguishing gas fires will, however find powder extinguishers to be effective.

Class D

This specialised classification covers fires involving combustible metals. Special powder may be applied by trained personnel only, using powder extinguishers with low velocity applicators.

Class F

Fires are cooking oil fires.

Wet chemical extinguishers give maximum protection for this risk.