NFPA fire classification? What is it? The NFPA or National Fire Protection has a 6 fire classification which is class A for a fire from solid material, class B for a fire from liquid and gas and many among others!
You’ve probably heard of the fire and the danger it could bring. However, did you know that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a fire classification system that helps us understand and respond to different types of fires?
This classification is not just a label, it is an important tool in our efforts to protect ourselves and the environment from the risk of fire.
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In this article, you will be explained and invited to become more familiar with the NFPA fire classification.
Let’s dive down to this article to help understand each category of fire and how this knowledge can be the key to effective preventive measures and appropriate response!
Table of Contents
6 Fire Classification According to NFPA
1. Class A (Fire From Solid Material)
In class A fires, the fire is coming from solid materials such as wood, paper, cloth or plastic.
Class A fire can be extinguished simply by using water or a common extinguisher such as an oxygen barrier.
Water works by removing heat from the fire and cooling the burning materials around it, thereby stopping the chemical reaction that causes the fire.
Water-based fire extinguishers are the primary choice for Class A fires because of their ability to suppress heat and prevent fires from spreading.
2. Class B (Fire From Liquid and Gas)
Class B contains flammable substances such as gasoline, oil, solvents, or gasses such as propane or methane.
Class B fires require extinguishing substances that can stop the chain of chemical reactions that cause the fire.
Extinguishing can be done by using a foam extinguisher, carbon dioxide (CO2), or special chemical powder.
These substances work by removing oxygen required to cause a fire or cooling the materials to a point below the combustion level temperatures.
The use of water in class B fires can cause the material to spread more widely and increase the risk of damage. Therefore, the use of appropriate extinguishing types is very important.
3. Class C (Electrical Fire)
Class C fires occur on electrical equipment or electronic devices that are short circuited or damaged.
The fuel is the electrical component such as cables, devices, or panels.
Class C fire needs special fire extinguishers to put out that are non-conductive to electricity, so the use of water or water-based extinguishers may increase the risk of an electric shock.
Common extinguishers used for Class C fires include carbon dioxide (CO2) or special chemical powders.
These substances can extinguish fires without damaging electrical equipment.
One thing that are worth noting is before putting out the fire, it is important to disconnect the power supply if possible.
Also Read: “What is a Fire Blanket?“
4. Class D (Metal Fire)
Class D fires involve special metals like magnesium, titanium, sodium, and others. These metals can burn at relatively low temperatures and can be difficult to extinguish by conventional means.
Usually, this includes the use of special powders such as sand powder or graphite powder.
Traditional extinguishers such as water or carbon dioxide are ineffective in extinguishing metal fires, and even can increase the risk.
Therefore, class D extinctions require special approaches and specially designed fire extinguisher devices.
5. Class K (Fire From Oil and Fat)
Class K fires occur when oil, fat, or fuel used in the commercial cooking process is involved.
Causes of fires from the class K fire include cooking oil, animal fat, and other fuels commonly found in kitchens or industrial cooking facilities.
Class K fire extinguishing requires special extinguisher materials that are specifically designed to handle fires involving oil and fat.
Class K extinguishers often contain a special chemical or foam that can withstand heat and break the chain of chemical reactions that can cause the fire.
In some cases, class K fire extinguisher equipment can be used in conjunction with conventional extinguishers.
It is advisable to not use water in a class K fire, as the use of water in class K fires can make the situation even worse as hot oil can cause sparks and further spreading of fire.
Therefore, it is very important to use special extinguisher equipment that is suitable for oil and fat fires.
6. Class E (Fire From Electrical Devices)
Class E fires often refer to fires caused by electronic devices, especially those using dynamo.
To be able to cope with this type of fire properly and prevent further spread of the fire, you are advised to use the fire extinguisher with dry powder media.
However, even though the dry powder is quite effective, its use can cause damage to the components.
Furthermore, given the need for greater risk prevention, losing one or two devices as a result of damage may be an acceptable consequence compared to losing entire property as a consequence of an unavoidable fire.
Also Read: “5 Types of Fire Extinguisher and Its Uses“
There you have it, the NFPA fire classification alongside how to deal with each one!
