Which extinguisher is used for ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical fires?

• A. K
• B. Water Based
• C. ABC
• D. ABCD

Answer: (C)

A multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher, rated for A, B, and C fires, is the one designed to handle ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical equipment. For ordinary combustibles like wood and paper, the powder blankets the material and cools the fuel, cutting off the heat and preventing reignition. For flammable liquids, the powder forms a barrier on the liquid surface, separating the fuel from the air and interrupting the flame’s chemical reactions. For electrical fires, the dry chemical is non-conductive, helping to interrupt the current and protect personnel when used on energized equipment if it’s safe to do so (power should be de-energized whenever possible). Other extinguisher types are limited to fewer fire classes, so they don’t cover all three categories together.