Fires can be dangerous and destructive, but not all fires are the same. Fires caused by combustible metals require a special Class D Fire Extinguisher in order to safely put them out.
What Are Class D Fires?
Class D fires involve combustible metals. These metals can include magnesium, titanium, potassium, and sodium, among others. Unlike more common fires, such as those involving wood, paper, or gasoline, Class D fires can be particularly challenging to extinguish.
Why Are Class D Fires Different?
Class D fires are different because combustible metals can react violently with water or other common extinguishing agents. For example, throwing water on a magnesium fire can actually make the fire worse, leading to explosive reactions. This is why it’s crucial to use the right type of fire extinguisher when dealing with Class D fires.
The Importance of Using the Correct Extinguisher
Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher on a Class D fire can be dangerous. Traditional fire extinguishers, such as those filled with water, foam, or carbon dioxide, may not be effective and can even exacerbate the situation. This is where Class D fire extinguishers come into play.
How Do Class D Fire Extinguishers Work?
Class D fire extinguishers are designed specifically to handle fires involving combustible metals. They use dry powder agents that are specifically formulated to smother the fire and absorb heat. These agents are designed to react with the burning metal to form a crust that smothers the fire and prevents it from spreading.
What we can offer
We can supply appropriate Class D Fire Extinguishers that are highly effective in dealing with such hazards. The Amerex B570 uses a sodium chloride-based dry powder agent that is effective against Magnesium, Sodium and Potassium fires. The Amerex C571 uses a copper extinguishing agent that is highly effective against Lithium and Lithium alloy fires. The C571 is meant for Lithium and Lithium alloy fires and is not recommended for use on Lithium Battery Fires, as these require special purpose Lithium-ion Battery Fire Extinguishers.
Get in touch with us at sales@specializedsafety.me to get a quote for the above and take control of your Class D Fire hazards.