Class A: TRASH / WOOD / PAPER
Fires involving ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics. Water, foam, and multi-purpose dry chemical extinguishers are typically used to tackle these types of fires by removing the heat or coating the burning materials.
Class B: LIQUIDS
Fires involving flammable and combustible liquids such as petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, lacquers, alcohols, and flammable gases. These require extinguishers like CO2, dry chemical, or foam that cut off the oxygen supply or inhibit the chemical chain reaction.
Class C: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Fires that involve energized electrical equipment, appliances, and wiring. It is critical to use non-conductive extinguishing agents like Carbon Dioxide (CO2) or dry powder to prevent electrical shock. Water-based extinguishers must never be used on Class C fires.