There is not just one type of fire. In fact, there are various types of conflagrations that ignite from different sources. If you’re going to fight a fire effectively, you need to know the type of fuel source involved that has started the fire. For instance, a Class D fire requires the use of a Class D fire extinguisher. Iowa residents and businesses can benefit by becoming familiar with how this type of fire begins. In fact, a class D fire is begun and carried forth through the fuel source of combustible metals, such as potassium, aluminum, sodium, and magnesium.
Even though these fires may not occur as frequently as other fires such as Type A and Type B conflagrations, it is important to know how to address them if you are in an environment where the risk of these fires occurring is elevated.
Class D Fire Combustibility Risk
When do these fires combust and spread easily? The combustibility of these fires occurs when metal fines or shavings that are generated through machining process ignite. These particles serve as the fuel source that can produce a Class D fire.
These fires can occur in such venues as manufacturing centers, industrial facilities, and laboratories. When these types of metals mentioned above are present and in the form as described, they can ignite under certain conditions. This is why these facilities can benefit by having more than one Class D fire extinguisher on hand.
Powder Extinguishing Agents
Water is not an effective agent to combat and extinguish Class D fires. The most effective way to quash these fires is through the use of dry powder extinguishing agents. When these agents are applied to the fire they come off the oxygen supply that fuels the fire, which serves to absorb the heat is whether the flames.
Dry powder agents as opposed to dry chemical agents are used in a Class D fire extinguisher. These dry agents are necessary to put out these metal fires. Two of the dry powder substances that can perform this task effectively are graphite in powder form and sodium chloride in granular form.
It’s important to have the proper knowledge and training before you use any type of fire extinguisher, including the Class D variety.
