Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, or cloth. This type of fire is the MOST common and is fairly simple to contain and extinguish.
Types of fire extinguishers used to extinguish a class A fire:
- General purpose, pressurized dry chemical ABC extinguisher
- Water extinguisher
Important comments:
- Water extinguishers are NOT appropriate for use in some healthcare settings, such as the laboratory, due to the presence of B and C ignition sources.
- Class A fires tend to smolder for long periods of time.
- ABC extinguishers are the BEST all-around choice for extinguishing a class A fire, but leaves a messy blanket of non-flammable material that is potentially abrasive and can be corrosive to metal.
- ABC extinguishers are NOT recommended for use around computers or sensitive equipment.
