Whenever we speak about fire classes we aren't referring to fire courses, we mean something different. Fire classes are the numerous types of fires that may occur, usually dependant upon the variety of material that's actually burning.
The key reason why we've got different classifications of fire is simply because various kinds of extinguisher are utilized to fight different varieties of fire. It's really simple to find the ideal extinguisher for each fire type since they will always be colour coded.
Europe, the US and Australia/Asia all utilise different classes but you'll find so many similarities between them. This is a breakdown of different classes found in the various continents and countries.
Fire Classes Found in the UK and Europe
A - ordinary flammables, B - combustible or flammable liquids, C - flammable gas, D - combustible metals, E - (this class is no longer used in Europe), F - cooking oils and fats
Fire Classes Found in Australia and Asia
A - regular combustibles, B - combustible or combustible liquids, C - combustible gasses, D - flammable metals, E - electrical appliances, F - cooking fats and oils
Fire Classes Found in the US
A - ordinary combustibles, B - combustible liquids and gasses, C - electrical appliances, D - flammable metals, K - cooking fats and oils
Class E is no longer employed in the United Kingdom and Europe. It is because as soon as the power supply is powered down (considering that it really should be in the eventuality of a fire) an electrical fire falls into one or more of the other classes.
Some Typical Examples
Everyday Combustibles - the most widespread type of fire caused when natural solids for instance wood, paper or cloth ignite. It's ok to use water extinguishers for this kind of fire.
Flammable Gasses or Liquids - this is often any fire where liquid or gas fuels ignite. These have to be extinguished using dry chemical or halon extinguishers
Combustible Metals - metals for instance titanium, magnesium and uranium are flammable. Dry powder extinguishers should be employed to fight such fires
Electrical Appliances - this includes any appliance that are or might be electrically energised. Water, foam and also other agents which might transmit electrical current must not be employed to extinguish fires of this type.
Cooking Oils and Fats - common in household kitchens, saponification (an activity that creates soap from fats) or fire blankets are often used to extinguish these fires. Water extinguishers should never be employed on fat or oil fires as they will cause the fire to flare up which is extremely dangerous.
The key reason why we've got different classifications of fire is simply because various kinds of extinguisher are utilized to fight different varieties of fire. It's really simple to find the ideal extinguisher for each fire type since they will always be colour coded.
Europe, the US and Australia/Asia all utilise different classes but you'll find so many similarities between them. This is a breakdown of different classes found in the various continents and countries.
Fire Classes Found in the UK and Europe
A - ordinary flammables, B - combustible or flammable liquids, C - flammable gas, D - combustible metals, E - (this class is no longer used in Europe), F - cooking oils and fats
Fire Classes Found in Australia and Asia
A - regular combustibles, B - combustible or combustible liquids, C - combustible gasses, D - flammable metals, E - electrical appliances, F - cooking fats and oils
Fire Classes Found in the US
A - ordinary combustibles, B - combustible liquids and gasses, C - electrical appliances, D - flammable metals, K - cooking fats and oils
Class E is no longer employed in the United Kingdom and Europe. It is because as soon as the power supply is powered down (considering that it really should be in the eventuality of a fire) an electrical fire falls into one or more of the other classes.
Some Typical Examples
Everyday Combustibles - the most widespread type of fire caused when natural solids for instance wood, paper or cloth ignite. It's ok to use water extinguishers for this kind of fire.
Flammable Gasses or Liquids - this is often any fire where liquid or gas fuels ignite. These have to be extinguished using dry chemical or halon extinguishers
Combustible Metals - metals for instance titanium, magnesium and uranium are flammable. Dry powder extinguishers should be employed to fight such fires
Electrical Appliances - this includes any appliance that are or might be electrically energised. Water, foam and also other agents which might transmit electrical current must not be employed to extinguish fires of this type.
Cooking Oils and Fats - common in household kitchens, saponification (an activity that creates soap from fats) or fire blankets are often used to extinguish these fires. Water extinguishers should never be employed on fat or oil fires as they will cause the fire to flare up which is extremely dangerous.
About the Author:
If you're interested in learning more about the different classes of fire or the kinds of fire extinguishers used to fight them, then please feel free to visit our website today.