What are the three classes of fires and their typical fuels?

• A. Class A – ordinary combustibles; Class B – flammable liquids; Class C – electrical equipment.
• B. Class A – metals; Class B – plastics; Class C – water.
• C. Class A – wood; Class B – solvents; Class C – fabrics.
• D. Class A – rock; Class B – gas; Class C – electrical.

Answer: (C)

Fires are categorized by the type of material feeding them. The standard three classes are:

• Class A: ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth.

• Class B: flammable liquids like solvents, gasoline, and oils.

• Class C: electrical equipment, including wiring, motors, and electrical panels.

This framing is why the correct mapping is: Class A with wood and other ordinary combustibles, Class B with solvents and other flammable liquids, and Class C with electrical equipment. The option that assigns Class C to fabrics isn’t accurate because fabrics burn as ordinary combustibles (Class A), not as a distinct electrical-fire category. Knowing these distinctions helps determine the appropriate extinguishing method for each class.