Which statement describes Class C fires?

Which statement describes Class C fires?

• A. Fires carry a current; energized electrical wiring or equipment ignites
• B. Fires involve wood and paper
• C. Fires burning liquids
• D. Fires in metal

Answer: (A)

Class C fires are electrical fires, involving energized electrical equipment or wiring. The statement that they ignite because there is a current in the electrical system correctly captures this idea. In practice, you’d shut off power if it’s safe to do so and use a non-conductive extinguishing agent such as dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Water is avoided on electrical fires because it can conduct electricity and pose a shock hazard. To place this in context: fires in ordinary combustibles like wood or paper are Class A; fires in flammable liquids are Class B; fires in metal are Class D. Understanding that Class C is specifically about electricity helps explain why the focus is on de-energizing the circuit and using appropriate extinguishing methods rather than water.

Class C fires are electrical fires, involving energized electrical equipment or wiring. The statement that they ignite because there is a current in the electrical system correctly captures this idea. In practice, you’d shut off power if it’s safe to do so and use a non-conductive extinguishing agent such as dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Water is avoided on electrical fires because it can conduct electricity and pose a shock hazard.

To place this in context: fires in ordinary combustibles like wood or paper are Class A; fires in flammable liquids are Class B; fires in metal are Class D. Understanding that Class C is specifically about electricity helps explain why the focus is on de-energizing the circuit and using appropriate extinguishing methods rather than water.