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There are several concepts of fire classification in the world. The USA follows the NFPA system that consists of five types of fire, EU follows the European Standard “Classification of fire” (EN2:1992, incorporating amendment A1:2004) that consists of five types of fire. Australia follow the Australian Standard “Classification of fire” that consists of six types of fire.
Considering all the classification standards mentioned above a comparison of fire classes are given in the below chart:
Comparison of Fire Classes |
|||
| American | European | Australian/Asian | Fuel/Heat Source |
| Class A | Class A | Class A | Ordinary Combustibles |
| Class B | Class B | Class B | Flammable Liquids |
| Class C | Class C | Flammable Gases | |
| Class C | _ | Class E | Electrical Equipment |
| Class D | Class D | Class D | Combustible Metals |
| Class K | Class F | Class F | Cooking Oil or Fat |
Types of Fires
Different types of fire will be extinguished in different ways. According to the burning principal, the fire is classified into six types. These are:
- Solid Fire – Class A
- Liquid Fire – Class B
- Gases Fire – Class C
- Metal Fire – Class D
- Electrical Fire – Class E
- Cooking Fire – Class F/K
A retardant, like water or sand, is often used to put out a fire, however not all fires are created equal.
Because using the incorrect fire retardant can make a bad situation even worse, learn to differentiate between various materials that are burning and the location of the fire.
For instance, adding more water to a fire that is already blazing could make it worse. Similar to this, electrocution could occur if water was poured into or near electrical equipment. Keep yourself safe by becoming familiar with the four different fire classes—Class A, B, C, and D by watching the below YouTube Video:
What Is Solid Fire?
The most obvious solid fuels are wood, cloth, fabric, cotton, plastics and so on.
Fire Extinguishing: Solid Fire is extinguished with DCP (Dry Chemical), CO2 (Carbon-dioxide) and (H2O) water.
What Is a Liquid Fire?
Liquid materials fire is called a class “B” type fire. The flammable liquids are bunker fuel, lubricating oil, diesel oil, kerosene, liquid chemical, oil-based paints, and their solvents, etc.
Fire Extinguishing: Liquid Fire is extinguished with a Foam type fire extinguisher.
What Is a Gas Fire?
The heat of the earth and the pressure from the weight of rocks transformed some of the organic matter into natural gas. Natural gas is made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons.
The main hydrocarbon in natural gas is methane, but there is a small amount of ethane, propane, and butane, etc.
From these sort of gases, if any fire generates then this is called a gases fire. This kind of fire is under class “C” type of fire.
Fire Extinguishing: Gas fire is usually extinguished by using Sand, Soil, DCP, and Foam type fire extinguisher, etc.
What Is a Metal Fire?
Metal Fires consist of combustible metals such as Magnesium, Potassium, Titanium, and Zirconium.
Fire Extinguishing: This type of fire is extinguished using Graphite power, Solid and Sand.
What Is a Electrical Fire?
Electrical Fires are fires involving energized electrical instrumentation.
Fire Extinguishing: Water is dangerous to use in this type of fire. Co2 is better to extinguish this fire.
What Is a Cooking Fire?
Fires that involve cooking oils or fats are designated “Class K” under the American system, and “Class F” under the European/Australasian system.
Fire Extinguishing: Wet chemical fire extinguishers may also have hoods over them that help extinguish the fire. This is the only extinguisher item for F/K type fire.
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