Knowing how to properly approach a workplace or home fire can mean the difference between life and death. While most office spaces come equipped with fire extinguishers, among other fire-safety equipment and measures, such as water-sprinkler systems and fire blankets, not every fire extinguisher is effective against every type of fire. Confronting an electrical fire, for example, requires a different extinguisher and approach than confronting a fire fuelled by conventional materials like wood and paper. For your safety and the safety of those around you, be it at home or at your place of work, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the different types of fires that can occur and the varying types of fire extinguishers needed to properly combat them.

Class A

Class A refers to fires started by common combustible items like paper, wood, plastic, pieces of cloth and trash. This is the most conventional type of fire you may have to face and is best approached with the use of fire extinguishers that eject either water or foam. Water or foam fire extinguishers should not be used on other classes of fire for safety reasons.

Class B

These fires are fuelled by flammable liquids, like gasoline, paint or petrol or by flammable gases, including butane and propane. The best type of fire extinguisher to use in situations involving Class B fires are carbon-dioxide extinguishers. These target the oxygen of a fire and work by discharging a cold discharge. Dry-chemical extinguishers also work. 

Class C

These fires are electrical in nature. They are usually sparked by electrical equipment like home appliances, motors and transformers. Given the involvement of electricity, water and foam extinguishers should definitely not be used; dry-chemical extinguishers are your best bet. However, if you remove the power source, the fire is no longer a Class C. 

Class D

Class D fires are caused by combustible metals like sodium, aluminium, magnesium and potassium and are best fought with dry-powder extinguishers that separate the fuel from the oxygen fuelling the fire. Dry-powder extinguishers will not work with any other type of fire.

Class K

Finally, Class K fires usually occur in the kitchen as they are sparked by cooking greases and oils, like vegetable or animal fats. Wet-chemical extinguishers or even just fire blankets, if the fire is small and contained, are ideal in this situation. Be sure to turn off any gas before trying to put the fire out. 

In any case, you should only attempt to battle a blaze if it is small and not out of control, if you're safe from either flames or toxic smoke and chemicals, if you have a definitive and unobstructed escape route if things go awry and if your gut feeling is that it's possible to stop the fire. Before approaching any fire, trigger the fire alarm and call fire-emergency services. Never assume you will be able to handle a fire on your own. It's better to be safe than sorry.