Fire Extinguisher Classification

It is vital to know what type of extinguisher you are using. Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong type of fire can be life threatening
Class A
Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. The numerical rating on these types of extinguishers indicates the amount of water it holds and the amount of fire it can extinguish. The geometric symbol indicating Class A is a green triangle.
A Ordinary Combustibles
Class B
Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. The numerical rating for class B extinguishers indicates the approximate number of square feet of fire it can extinguish. The geometric symbol indicating Class B is a red square.
B Flammable Liquids
Class C
Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive. The geometric symbol indicating Class C is a blue circle.
C Electrical Equipment
Class D
Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multipurpose rating - they are designed for class D fires only.
The geometric symbol indicating Class D is a yellow decagon.
D Combustible Metals
Class K
Class K fire extinguishers are for fires that involve cooking oils, trans-fats, or fats in cooking appliances and are typically found in restaurant and cafeteria kitchens. The geometric symbol indicating Class K is a black hexagon.
 
K Combustible Cooking