Fire Extinguisher Types — Matching to Hazard
Construction and general industry · Ver en español
Talking points
- Class A: ordinary combustibles — wood, paper, cloth, rubber, plastics. Extinguished with water, dry chemical, or foam.
- Class B: flammable liquids and gases — gasoline, oil, grease, propane. Extinguished with CO₂, dry chemical, or foam. Never use water on a Class B fire — it can spread the burning liquid.
- Class C: energized electrical equipment. Extinguished with CO₂ or dry chemical. Never use water or foam on energized equipment. De-energize first if possible, then it becomes Class A or B.
- Class D: combustible metals — aluminum, magnesium, titanium. Requires a special Class D extinguishing agent. Standard extinguishers can make metal fires worse.
- ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers cover most construction site needs. However, they leave a corrosive residue and can damage electrical equipment. CO₂ extinguishers are preferred near sensitive electronics.
Ask the crew
What class of fire hazard is in your work area — and is the nearest extinguisher the correct type?
Standards this talk is built on
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
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Sign-in sheet
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| Name | Signature | Date |
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