Which type of fire involves combustible metals and lithium ion batteries?

Which type of fire involves combustible metals and lithium ion batteries?

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

Answer: (A)

Fires involving burning metals require a different approach than ordinary fires because many metals react with water and conventional extinguishing agents. This category, used for metal fires, covers combustible metals and certain battery fires where metal content is a factor, such as lithium-based cells. To fight them, you use a dry powder extinguisher specifically rated for metal fires; the powder coats the metal and absorbs heat, smothering the flame and slowing the chemical reaction. Water and standard ABC extinguishers are not appropriate for metal fires because of potential dangerous reactions and insufficient cooling. The other classes correspond to ordinary combustibles like wood and paper, flammable liquids, and energized electrical equipment, which don’t describe metal fires. So fires involving combustible metals and lithium-ion batteries fall under this metal-fire category.

Fires involving burning metals require a different approach than ordinary fires because many metals react with water and conventional extinguishing agents. This category, used for metal fires, covers combustible metals and certain battery fires where metal content is a factor, such as lithium-based cells. To fight them, you use a dry powder extinguisher specifically rated for metal fires; the powder coats the metal and absorbs heat, smothering the flame and slowing the chemical reaction. Water and standard ABC extinguishers are not appropriate for metal fires because of potential dangerous reactions and insufficient cooling. The other classes correspond to ordinary combustibles like wood and paper, flammable liquids, and energized electrical equipment, which don’t describe metal fires. So fires involving combustible metals and lithium-ion batteries fall under this metal-fire category.