Fire Triangle - Fire Classes

Fire Classes

Fire is classified based on the type of material involved. In the American standard, the fires are classified as:

• Class A fire: Fire involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper and similar materials.
• Class B fire: Fire of combustible and flammable materials gases and liquids such as kerosene, gasoline, and propane.
• Class C fire: Fire involving energized electrical equipment.
• Class D fire: Fire involving combustible metals, such as sodium, titanium, and magnesium.
• Class K fire: Fire involving combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).

In the European Standard "Classification of fires" (EN 2:1992, incorporatiing amendment A1:2004), the fires are classified as:

• Class A fire: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, carton, textile, and PVC;
• Class B fire: Flammable liquids and solids which can take a liquid form, such as benzene, gasoline, oil;
• Class C fire: Flammable gases, such as butane, propane, and natural gas;
• Class D fire: Combustible metals, such as iron, aluminum, sodium, and magnesium;
• Class F fire: Cooking media, such as oils and fats, in cooking appliances;

A fire involving energized electrical equipment is not classified by its electrical property.