Page 21 - CITS - Welder - Trade Theory

WELDER - CITS

Class C Fires: Electrical Fires
Electrical fires fall under Class C and are common in facilities that make heavy use of electrical equipment, but
they can occur in a wide range of industries. For example, data centers might be an obvious risk area for Class C
fires. They must have safeguards in place to deal with electrical fires.

Construction sites are another common Class C fire risk: electrical power tools or appliances used for
cooking can cause sparks to ignite combustible materials and intensify rapidly. Old buildings with bad wiring or
space heaters present more concerns.
Electrical fires require non-conductive materials to extinguish the flame, so water alone is not a good solution.
Facilities with sensitive equipment may prefer clean agent suppression because it won’t leave residue or damage
electrical equipment.

Class D Fires: Metallic Fires

Class D fires are not as common as the other classes, but they do require special attention because they can be
especially difficult to extinguish. Metallic fires involve flammable materials like titanium, aluminum, magnesium,
and potassium — all commonly occurring in laboratories.
Class D fires cannot be addressed with water, as this can exacerbate the fire and be potentially dangerous. Dry
powder agents are the best solution for smothering the flames and limiting damage to property or people.

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CITS : C G & M - Welder - Lesson 1-3