Different Types and Classes of Fire

8/15/2017 (Permalink)

There are many different types of fires and ways to put out each fire. You might know the types of fires and you may think you know the best way to put out that certain fire. The type of fires are labeled by classes, each class has a certain way to clean each fire, what causes the fire, how it burns and what to use to clean each fire. Down below is a list of fires and their class’.

Classes of fire:

Class A is the most common type fire. Class A fires occur when materials, such as wood, paper, trash, become heated to their ignition temperature. The fire will continue to burn as long as there is heat, oxygen, and fuel to burn. The best way to put out a class a fire is with water. How our crews at SERVPRO West Kirkwood sunset hills will use specific chemicals and sprays to clean up the soot and smoky smell that the fire(s) will leave.

Class B Fires are fueled by flammable or combustible liquids, which include oil, gasoline, and other similar materials. Class B fires burn really easy and produces thick toxic black smoke. The thick toxic smoke makes it extremely difficult to fight the fires. The best way to extinguish a class b fire is by smothering it, which cuts off the oxygen, or you can use a foam fire extinguisher.

Class C fires are electrical fires. Short circuits, overloaded switchboards, faulty equipment, and damaged wiring are causes of Electrical fires. The first thing you do to put out a Class C fire is by de energizing the circuit and use a non conductive agent, example: carbon dioxide.

Class D Fires are combustible metal fires. Magnesium and Titanium are the most common types of metal fires. Once a metal ignites DO NOT use water in an attempt to extinguish it. Class D fire produces a lot of ash. SERVPRO West Kirkwood has the correct tools to safely remove all the ash left over from the fire. Only use a Dry Powder extinguishing agent. Dry powder agents work by smothering and heat absorption.

Class K Fires are fires that involve cooking oils, grease or animal fat and can be extinguished using Purple K, the typical agent found in kitchen or galley extinguishers. DO NOT uses water to extinguish the fire, it will only make the fire worse.

 The best way to remember all of the classes and what each ones is remember this: A leaves Ash. B Boils. C has Current. D has Dense mass. K is for Kitchen. If you or anyone you know has recently had a fire keep in mind to call SERVPRO West Kirkwood and Sunset Hills at 314-858-1688 and we'll make it "Like it never even happened"!