What type of fire is a Class B fire extinguisher suitable for?

A Class B fire extinguisher is specifically designed to combat fires that involve flammable liquids and gases, such as gasoline, oil, grease, and paints. The extinguishing agents used in Class B extinguishers, such as foam, dry chemical, and carbon dioxide, effectively smother the flames and prevent re-ignition by cutting off the oxygen supply.

Understanding the nature of fire classes is important for effective fire safety and response. For instance, using a Class B extinguisher on fires involving ordinary combustibles, such as wood or paper, could be ineffective or even increase the hazard, since the agents may not effectively cool or suppress those types of fires. Similarly, employing it on electrical fires, which require specialized extinguishers, poses the risk of electric shock and does not address the underlying electrical issue. Thus, recognizing that a Class B fire extinguisher is designated for flammable liquids is crucial for accurate fire response protocol.