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Fire Suppression & Hazard Awareness

Fire Behavior Basics

Fire requires three elements — heat, fuel, and oxygen — known as the fire triangle. Remove any one element and the fire goes out. CERT members should only attempt to suppress small fires (wastebasket-size or smaller) with a clear escape route behind them. The fire classes determine which extinguisher to use: Class A (ordinary combustibles — wood, paper), Class B (flammable liquids — gasoline, oil), Class C (electrical equipment), Class D (combustible metals), and Class K (cooking oils). Using the wrong extinguisher can be dangerous — water on a grease fire causes explosive splattering, and water on an electrical fire risks electrocution. ABC-rated dry chemical extinguishers handle most common situations.

Fire Suppression & Hazard Awareness

Fire Behavior Basics

Fire requires three elements — heat, fuel, and oxygen — known as the fire triangle. Remove any one element and the fire goes out. CERT members should only attempt to suppress small fires (wastebasket-size or smaller) with a clear escape route behind them. The fire classes determine which extinguisher to use: Class A (ordinary combustibles — wood, paper), Class B (flammable liquids — gasoline, oil), Class C (electrical equipment), Class D (combustible metals), and Class K (cooking oils). Using the wrong extinguisher can be dangerous — water on a grease fire causes explosive splattering, and water on an electrical fire risks electrocution. ABC-rated dry chemical extinguishers handle most common situations.