Class D extinguishers are designed for which type of fires?

Class D extinguishers are designed for which type of fires?

• A. Flammable liquids
• B. Ordinary combustibles
• C. Combustible metals
• D. Electrical fires

Answer: (C)

Fires involving reactive or combustible metals require a specialized approach. Class D extinguishers are designed specifically for metal fires, such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, potassium, and other reactive metal alloys. The extinguishing media used for these fires is a dry powder formulated to absorb heat and smother the metal, effectively cooling and separating the metal from the air without reacting with it. Water, foam, or standard CO2 extinguishers can react violently with certain metals, making them unsafe for metal fires. The other options correspond to different fire types: ordinary combustibles (A) burn like wood and paper, flammable liquids (B) involve fuels such as solvents, and electrical fires (C) involve energized electrical equipment and require nonconductive extinguishing methods.

Fires involving reactive or combustible metals require a specialized approach. Class D extinguishers are designed specifically for metal fires, such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, potassium, and other reactive metal alloys. The extinguishing media used for these fires is a dry powder formulated to absorb heat and smother the metal, effectively cooling and separating the metal from the air without reacting with it. Water, foam, or standard CO2 extinguishers can react violently with certain metals, making them unsafe for metal fires. The other options correspond to different fire types: ordinary combustibles (A) burn like wood and paper, flammable liquids (B) involve fuels such as solvents, and electrical fires (C) involve energized electrical equipment and require nonconductive extinguishing methods.