Which class of fire extinguisher is suitable for electrical fires?

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

Answer: (C)

Electrical fires require extinguishing methods that won’t conduct electricity, so you reach for an extinguisher designed specifically for fires in electrical equipment. Those extinguishers use non-conductive agents such as dry chemical powders or CO2, which help put out the fire without creating a path for current to flow or risking electrocution. Water-based extinguishers are dangerous on live electrical equipment because water conducts electricity and can spread the shock. Other fire classes target different fuels—ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, or metals—and aren’t safe or effective for energized electrical fires. So, the extinguisher type designed for electrical fires is the appropriate choice.