Which class of fire involves flammable liquids?

Which class of fire involves flammable liquids?

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

Answer: (B)

Fires are categorized by the type of fuel involved. Flammable liquids burn because their vapors mix with air and ignite, creating a fire that can spread as the liquid continues to evaporate. This type of fire is classified as Class B. To extinguish it, you want agents that block the fuel from vaporizing or smother the flame—foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide—rather than relying on water, which can spread the liquid or fail to cool it quickly enough. In an auto body shop, fuels and solvents such as gasoline, paint thinners, and other solvents fit this category. Other classes cover different fuels: Class A is ordinary combustibles like wood and paper; Class C is energized electrical equipment; Class D is combustible metals.

Fires are categorized by the type of fuel involved. Flammable liquids burn because their vapors mix with air and ignite, creating a fire that can spread as the liquid continues to evaporate. This type of fire is classified as Class B. To extinguish it, you want agents that block the fuel from vaporizing or smother the flame—foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide—rather than relying on water, which can spread the liquid or fail to cool it quickly enough. In an auto body shop, fuels and solvents such as gasoline, paint thinners, and other solvents fit this category. Other classes cover different fuels: Class A is ordinary combustibles like wood and paper; Class C is energized electrical equipment; Class D is combustible metals.