Which type of fire is classified as a Class A fire?

Class A fires are specifically classified as those involving ordinary solid combustible materials. This includes common materials such as wood, paper, cloth, plastics, and many other items typically found in households and workplaces. The primary characteristic of Class A fires is that they can usually be extinguished using water or other effective agents that can cool the burning material and remove the heat.

The other categories, while important to understand for safety and firefighting, each denote different types of materials involved in fire incidents. Liquid fires, for instance, fall under Class B, where flammable liquids such as oils and gasoline are involved. Electrical equipment is associated with Class C fires, where any fire that involves energized electrical devices is classified. Flammable metals, such as magnesium and titanium, make up Class D fires, which require specialized extinguishing agents due to the unique properties of the metals involved. Understanding these classifications can help in selecting the right approach and extinguishing methods for each type of fire hazard.