CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES

FIRE SAFETY REGISTER CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES

Class ‘A’ Fires (Fires involving combustible materials such as paper, wood, textiles, plastic, etc.) Combustible Fires Fire involving solid materials, usually of an organic nature, in which combustion normally takes places with the formation of glowing embers. Class ‘A’ fires are the most common and the most effective extinguishing agent is generally water in the form of heat or spray, which has a cooling effect on a fire. A fire extinguisher with this symbol means the extinguisher is safe to use on combustible fires

Class ‘B’ Fires (Fires involving liquid fuels such as Grease, Oil, Paint, Petrol, etc. but not cooking oil) Flammable Liquids Fire involving liquids or liquefiable solids. For the purpose of choosing effective extinguishing agents, flammable liquids may be divided into two groups, miscible and immiscible. The most effective extinguishing method is smothering. A fire extinguisher with the following symbol attached means that the extinguisher is safe to use on flammable liquid fires.

Class ‘C’ Fires (Fires involving combustible gases) Gaseous Fires Fire involving gas or liquefied gases such as Propane, Butane etc. The gas supply should be isolated before fighting this type of fire. A fire extinguisher with the following symbol attached means that the extinguisher is safe to use on gaseous fires.

Class ‘D’ Fires (Fires involving metals) Metal Fires Fire involving metals require a specialist fire-extinguishing agent to fight. A fire extinguisher with the following symbol attached means that the extinguisher is safe to use on a metal fire.

Class ‘F’ Fires Fires involving cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) in cooking appliances. Cooking Oils Fires involving cooking media require a specialist fire-extinguishing agent to fight. A fire extinguisher with the following symbol attached means that the extinguisher is safe to use on a cooking oil fire.

Electrical Fires (Fire involving live electrical equipment) Electrical Fires Electrical fires are most effectively extinguished by smothering using an electrically non-conductive agent. Isolate from electricity supply, if possible, before fighting the fire. A fire extinguisher with the following symbol attached means that the extinguisher is safe to use on live electrical equipment involved in fire.

Note: The above categories are defined in EN 2: 1992/A1: 2004