subject: Fire Classes and Their Meaning [print this page] Fire Classes and Their Meaning Fire Classes and Their Meaning
When we talk about fire classes we're not talking about fire training courses, we mean something completely different.
Fire classes are the different types of fires that can occur, usually based on the type of material that's actually on fire.
The reason we have different classifications of fire is because different types of extinguisher are used to fight different kinds of fire.
It's quite easy to identify the correct extinguisher to use for each fire type because they're colour coded.
Europe, America and Australia/Asia all use different classes but there are many similarities between them.
Here's a summary of the different classes used in the different countries and continents.
Fire Classes in the UK and Europe
A - ordinary combustibles
B - flammable or combustible liquids
C - flammable gasses
D - combustible metals
E - (this class is no longer used in Europe)
F - cooking fats and oils
Fire Classes in Australia and Asia
A - ordinary combustibles
B - flammable or combustible liquids
C - flammable gasses
D - combustible metals
E - electrical appliances
F - cooking fats and oils
Fire Classes in America
A - ordinary combustibles
B - flammable liquids and gasses
C - electrical appliances
D - combustible metalsK - cooking fats and oils
Class E is no longer used in the UK and Europe. This is because when the power supply is turned off (as it should be in the event of a fire) an electrical fire falls into one or more of the other classes.
Some Examples
Ordinary Combustibles - the most common type of fire caused when organic solids such as wood, paper or cloth ignite. It's ok to use water extinguishers for this type of fire.
Flammable Gasses or Liquids - this is any fire where liquid or gas fuels ignite. These should be extinguished using dry chemical or halon extinguishers.
Combustible Metals - metals such as titanium, magnesium and uranium are flammable. Dry powder extinguishers should be used to fight such fires.
Electrical Appliances - this covers any appliance that could potentially be electrically energised. Water, foam and other agents which might conduct electricity should not be used to fight electrical fires.
Cooking Fats and Oils - common in household kitchens, saponification (a process that produces soap from fats) or fire blankets can be used to extinguish these fires. Water extinguishers should never be used on fat or oil fires.
