A fire involving metals such as magnesium is classified as which fire class?

A fire involving metals such as magnesium is classified as which fire class?

• A. Class A
• B. Class B
• C. Class C
• D. Class D

Answer: (D)

Fires involving combustible metals are Class D because metal fires burn differently from ordinary combustibles, liquids, or energized electrical fires. Metals like magnesium react intensely and can even react violently with water or many common extinguishing agents, so standard methods (water, foam, CO2) aren’t effective and can worsen the situation. The proper approach is to use a dry powder extinguisher designed for metal fires, which blankets the metal and isolates it from oxygen to slow or stop the oxidation reaction. That’s why this type of fire is classified as Class D.

Fires involving combustible metals are Class D because metal fires burn differently from ordinary combustibles, liquids, or energized electrical fires. Metals like magnesium react intensely and can even react violently with water or many common extinguishing agents, so standard methods (water, foam, CO2) aren’t effective and can worsen the situation. The proper approach is to use a dry powder extinguisher designed for metal fires, which blankets the metal and isolates it from oxygen to slow or stop the oxidation reaction. That’s why this type of fire is classified as Class D.