Fires are classified under four different classes. Each class has special characteristics and each requiring different methods of extinguishment and care. It is very important to use the correct extinguishing method on each given class of fire; failure to do so could result in serious personal injury or even death.

• Type of Materials: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics.
• Prevention: Keep storage and working areas free of trash and cluttering.
• Extinguishment:
  • Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition.
  • Use Pressurized Water, foam, or multi-purpose (ABC) dry chemical fire extinguishers.
  • DO NOT USE: Carbon Dioxide, or ordinary (BC Rated) dry chemical fire extinguishers.

• Type of Materials: Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.
• Prevention:
  • Do not re-fuel gas-powered equipment in a confined space without a external flow of oxygen (IE via a window) or near an open flame.
  • Do not re-fuel gas-powered equipment when it is hot or was just used.
  • Keep flammable liquids tightly sealed in spill proof containers.
  • Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources.
  • As always, keep dangerous chemicals out of reach of children.
• Extinguishment:
  • Extinguish flammable liquids by removing oxygen from the fire, thus preventing hazardous vapors from reaching ignition point and stopping a potential chemical reaction causing fire.
  • Use Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC Rated), or halon chemical fire extinguishers.

• Type of Materials: Any Electrical Equipment such as appliances, switches, electrical boxes, or power tools.
• Prevention:
  • Look for and replace any old worn away electrical wiring.
  • Keep motors clean and in good working order in order to prevent overheating.
  • Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over them. Heat from an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite ordinary combustibles.
  • Investigate any electrical equipment that smell weird, this may be the first sign of a potential fire.
  • Don't overload outlets. Two outlets should have no more than two plugs.
• Extinguishment:
  • If possible, remove the source of energy by unplugging or disconnecting the electrical equipment.
  • Use Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical and halon fire extinguishers.
  • Do Not Use water on ANY energized electrical equipment.

• Type of Materials: Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, and sodium. These materials may react violently with water or other chemicals, and must be handled with care.
• Prevention:
  • In some cases, covering the burning material with sand may help contain sparks and heat from a reaction.
  • If planning to use the materials listed above, it is recommended that you buy Class D Extinguishing agents as a precaution.
  • White phospherous is air-reactive and will burn/explode on contact with room air. It must be kept in a sealed container with a non-reactive solution to prevent contact with air.
• Extinguishment:
  • Extinguish class D fires with dry powder extinguishing agents specially designated for the material involved. In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material, cooling it below its ignition temperature.
  • Be careful when using water to extinguish this type of fire. This may cause a violent reaction.