The ABC’s of Fire Extinguishers

Test your knowledge

1. An extinguisher with an A rating is designed for use on:

A fire involving energized electrical equipment
A fire involving flammable liquids
A fire involving comustible metals
None of the above
Class A - Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper and rubber. The symbol for this class is a green triangle

2. An extinguisher with a D rating is designed for use on:

A fire involving flammable liquids
A fire involving combustible metals
A fire involving energized electrical equipment
A fire involving ordinary combustible materials
Class D - Certain combustible metals such as sodium, magnesium and potassium. You should not have to worry too much about this type of fire in your home. The symbol for this class is a yellow star.

3. A fire involving flammable liquids is:

Class A
Class D
Class B
None of the Above
Class B - Flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, grease, oil and similar material. The Class B symbol is a red square.

4. A fire involving ordinary combustible materials is:

Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D
Class A - Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper and rubber. The symbol for this class is a green triangle.

5. An extinguisher with a C rating is designed for use on:

A fire involving flammable liquids
A fire involving combustible metals
A fire involving energized electrial equipment
A fire involving ordinary combustible materials
A Class C fire is any fire that involves live electrical equipment. Once the electricity has been shut off, the fire becomes the class of whatever material is burning. The symbol for this class is a blue circle.

6. An extinguisher with an ABC rating is designed for use on:

7. An extinguisher with a K rating is designed for use on:

A fire involving ordinary combustibles
A fire involving energized electrical equipment
A fire involving vegetable oils and fats
A fire involving combustivle metals
Class K - Used on fires that involve vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. These extinguishers are generally found in commercial kitchens.

8. Which of the following is true regarding a flammable gas fire?

Always extinguish the fire if a portable extinguisher is available
Never extinguish the fire regardless of whether a portable extinguisher is available
Extinguish the fire only if a spare extinguisher is available
Extinguish the fire only if you are capable of promptly turning off the supply of gas

9. Which of the following extinguisher types does not have a gauge

10. Where should you position yourself?

Outside the room to aviod being trapped by the fire
Next to a window so you can jump if your efforts to extinguish the fire are unsuccessful
Six to eight feet from the fire, between the fire and your escape route
As close to the fire as possible to ensure maximum efficiency of hte extinguisher

North Hastings Fire Service