Fires in combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium are Class what?

Fires in combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium are Class what?

• A. Class B
• B. Class D
• C. Class A
• D. Class C

Answer: (B)

Fires fueled by reactive metals have their own category because they behave very differently from ordinary combustibles or liquids. Metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium burn at extremely high temperatures and can react violently with water or many common extinguishing agents, sometimes producing flammable hydrogen gas. Because of those unique properties, standard extinguishing methods used for wood and paper or for flammable liquids are not safe or effective. The proper approach is to use a dry powder extinguisher designed for metal fires or to smother the fire with a noncombustible material like sand to cut off oxygen and absorb heat. This dedicated class is distinct from fires involving ordinary combustibles (Class A), flammable liquids (Class B), or energized electrical equipment (Class C). In practice, recognizing a metal fire and applying the correct extinguishing agent quickly helps prevent a small blaze from escalating into a dangerous, high-temperature flare-up.

Fires fueled by reactive metals have their own category because they behave very differently from ordinary combustibles or liquids. Metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium burn at extremely high temperatures and can react violently with water or many common extinguishing agents, sometimes producing flammable hydrogen gas. Because of those unique properties, standard extinguishing methods used for wood and paper or for flammable liquids are not safe or effective. The proper approach is to use a dry powder extinguisher designed for metal fires or to smother the fire with a noncombustible material like sand to cut off oxygen and absorb heat. This dedicated class is distinct from fires involving ordinary combustibles (Class A), flammable liquids (Class B), or energized electrical equipment (Class C). In practice, recognizing a metal fire and applying the correct extinguishing agent quickly helps prevent a small blaze from escalating into a dangerous, high-temperature flare-up.