Fires are classified into six types depending on the material, which acts as fuel to start a fire as per International Organisation for Standardization –
In India ISO standards are followed –
- Class A fires – Combustible materials: caused by flammable solids, such as wood, paper, and fabric
- Class B fires – Flammable liquids: such as petrol, turpentine or paint
- Class C fires – Flammable gases: like hydrogen, butane or methane
- Class D fires – Combustible metals: chemicals such as magnesium, aluminum or potassium
- Electrical fires – Electrical equipment: once the electrical item is removed, the fire changes class
- Class F fires – Cooking oils: typically a chip-pan fire
As per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This is followed in United States of America. They are :
- Class A: Result from ordinary combustible materials, including wood, cloth, paper, and many plastics.
- Class B: Burn in flammable liquids, combustible liquids, petroleum greases, oils, alcohols, and flammable gases.
- Class C: Involve energized electrical equipment.
- Class D: Fires in combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.
- Class K: Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media, such as vegetable or animal oils and fats.
What are the fire extinguisher colour codes?
The five fire extinguisher colours are:
- Red – Water (Spray and Mist)
- Cream – Foam
- Blue – Dry Powder
- Black – Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Yellow – Wet Chemical