Public School Works Practice Exam

Fires caused by flammable liquids require extinguishers that are specifically labeled for Class B fuels. These extinguishers are designed to interrupt the fire with agents that blanket or smother the liquid and, in many cases, cool or chemically interrupt the flame. Using water-based extinguishers would spread the flammable liquid and fuel the fire, so they’re not appropriate. Extinguishers intended for electrical fires (Class C) aren’t suitable for liquid fires, and those for ordinary combustibles (Class A) target wood, paper, and similar fuels, not liquids. Foam extinguishers can handle liquids, but the standard, most direct choice for flammable-liquid fires is the extinguisher designed for Class B fuels.