Classification of Fire Causes

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE CAUSES
There are six key classification of fire causes as explained beloe
CLASS A Fire – Solid Combustibles
The first fire classification is class a, solid combustibles. As the symbol above shows, this first fire
classification is fires involving solid combustible materials such as wood, cardboard, paper, fabrics
etc which is fuelling the fire.
We quite often deal with the after effects of fires from fireplaces or wood burning stove fires, which
could include such types of combustible materials or others. A fire such as this can often have been
extinguished using water so sometimes as well as fire damage there can be water damage to deal
with to (which we are also experts in).
Class B Fire – Flammable Liquids

The second fire classification class is flammable liquids. As the symbol (showing a petrol can fire) and
words above show this is fires involving liquids such as oil, petrol, paints and solvents etc, which can
catch fire very quickly.
Fires in commercial buildings or domestic garages (including car fires) can often involve such
materials. As you might expect, with this source of fuel these fires provide can spread rapidly and
cause major, extensive fire damage. Plus, cleaning such fires up can involve fire residues that need
carefully dealing with.
Class C Fire – Flammable Gases
The third fire classification class is flammable gases. As the symbol (gas burner, such as those on gas
hobs or camping stoves) and words above show this is fires involving flammable gases such as
natural gas, butane and propane.
As we said with the Class B fires, this source of fires can spread very rapidly, In some instances, such
as if a gas cannister is exposed to fire, the container can explode spreading the contents widely and
exposing them to the flames causing further damage. Sometimes when there are domestic gas
explosions it can destroy a house.
Class D Fire – Combustible Metals
Of all the fire classifications on this list, this is perhaps the least intuitive as people may not associate
fires with metal such as magnesium and lithium. Well there are two things worth mentioning. Firstly,
there are a number of metals that are are more combustible, some especially so.
For example, lithium batteries have been know to catch fire. There are also metals such as sodium
which catch fire if exposed to water! (and can be very hard to extinguish). Secondly, as the symbol
above shows, metal swarf (small shavings of metal) can be more combustible, especially if they are
exposed to other combustible materials too.
Class E Fires – Electrical
Interestingly, sometimes when this fire classification e is shown, often the symbol does not show the
‘E’ letter on it, plus you will often see that they are not given their own ‘full’ classification as although
the electricity, or sparks, are not the item catching fire, it is other materials (those on this list) that
are on fire as a result.
Nevertheless, it is useful to know about fire classification e and the associated risks, such as electric
shock etc. Electrical fires such as this may include things like fuse boxes, electrical wiring and
electrical appliances and tools including computers, televisions, hair dryers, extension cable leads
and phone chargers for example. Sometimes people list the 5 fire classifications, with this not on it.
Electrical fires feature on our article about Christmas Fire Safety and our guide to washing machine
leaks.
Class F Fire – Cooking Oils and Fats
The last fire fire classification on this list is Class F Fires, those involving cooking oils and fats from
such things as deep fat fryers, chip pans, frying pans etc. In such instances high temperatures can
contribute to the oils or fat to reach a point at which they can reach flash point as vapours from it
ignite from an ignition source (which can obviously be present in kitchens). Or even, beyond that at
very high temperatures experience self-ignition.
Such fires are technically a subset of the class b and c groups but given their differences, are given
their own fire classification. This is a fire classification, like others on this list that needs dealing with
accordingly. Anyone who has trained as a chef, cook or kitchen assistant will likely have training for
this and the appropriate fire extinguisher, including fire blankets, should be on hand to deal with
such fires accordingly.

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CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE CAUSES

There are six key classification of fire causes as explained beloe

CLASS A Fire – Solid Combustibles

Class B Fire – Flammable Liquids

Class C Fire – Flammable Gases

Class E Fires – Electrical

Class F Fire – Cooking Oils and Fats

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