Fire Extinguishers are organized into five classes: A, B, C, and two specialty classes D & K.
Fire Extinguishers are labeled with standard symbols identifying the types of fires they can fight. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can put yourself in danger or make the fire worse.
- Class A Fires involve wood, cloth, paper, rubber, plastic and “ordinary” combustibles.
- Class B Fires involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil lacquers, paint and oil based products.
- Class C Fires involve energized electrical equipment such as wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, data processing panels and appliances.
- Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multi- D fires only.
- Class K fire extinguishers are intended for use on fires that involve vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. These extinguishers are generally found in commercial kitchens, such as those found in restaurants, cafeterias, and caterers. Class K extinguishers are now finding their way into the residential market for use in kitchens.
For Fire Extinguisher Training for your employees, please call Fire Prevention at (760) 435-4101.
Fire Extinguisher Requirements in the City of Oceanside
Additional information regarding Fire Extinguishers can be found at the Burn Institute Website or the USFA Website.
