Class K fires involve which type of materials?

Class K fires specifically involve combustible cooking oils and fats, which are commonly found in cooking operations, especially in commercial kitchens. These types of fires can occur when oils are heated beyond their flash point, leading to ignition.

Extinguishing these fires requires special agents like wet chemical extinguishers that are designed to cool the burning oil and form a barrier between the oxygen and the fuel, effectively suppressing the fire. Other classes of fires, such as those involving plastic, rubber, electrical appliances, or wood and paper, are categorized differently based on the materials burning. Each class has specific characteristics that dictate the appropriate fire suppression methods, making it crucial to identify Class K fires correctly to ensure proper firefighting techniques are applied.