Which statement best describes Class D fires?

Which statement best describes Class D fires?

• A. Involve electrical equipment
• B. Involve cooking oils
• C. Involve combustible metals
• D. Involve combustible liquids

Answer: (C)

Class D fires involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, aluminum, and similar metals. These fires burn at very high temperatures and must be fought with metal-specific extinguishing agents (usually a dry powder designed for metal fires) that help absorb heat and smother the flame without reacting with the metal. Water or standard extinguishing agents can react violently with certain metals, sometimes causing explosions or splattering, which is why they’re not used for these fires. Other materials ignite under different conditions: cooking oils are handled with agents specifically for cooking-fat fires, combustible liquids are put out with agents for flammable liquids, and electrical equipment fires require suppression methods that address energized electrical hazards.

Class D fires involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, aluminum, and similar metals. These fires burn at very high temperatures and must be fought with metal-specific extinguishing agents (usually a dry powder designed for metal fires) that help absorb heat and smother the flame without reacting with the metal. Water or standard extinguishing agents can react violently with certain metals, sometimes causing explosions or splattering, which is why they’re not used for these fires.

Other materials ignite under different conditions: cooking oils are handled with agents specifically for cooking-fat fires, combustible liquids are put out with agents for flammable liquids, and electrical equipment fires require suppression methods that address energized electrical hazards.