Five Classifications of Fire - Essay Example

The first, Class A, consists of fires involving combustible materials such as cloth, wood, rubber, and plastics. The extinguishing agents for dealing with Class A fires are Water, Class A Foams, and Tri-Class Dry-Chemicals, aiming at lowering the temperature of the fuel below its ignition temperature (for example, using a Stored-Pressure Water Extinguisher). Importantly, these are for use against Class A (that is, combustible) fires, and inappropriate for other classes. Class B fires involve alcohol, gasoline, diesel oil and flammable gases.

Carbon Dioxide and Dry-Chemical agents, Foam and Halons Extinguishers form suitable extinguishing agents, lowering the temperature below flashpoint, by removing the fire's oxygen supply. Two of these agents are suitable too, for use on Class C fires involving energized electrical equipment, with the important exception of foam and water as these methods conduct electricity. Class D fires involve combustible metals such as sodium, potassium and zirconium. Hazardous in powdered form, burning at high temperature, water is ill-advised, due to its possibly acting as an explosive rather than extinguishing agent.

No single extinguishing agent exists for all metals, though dry-powder compounds are recommended, commonly, Lith-X and Meth-X.