<P> Fire class is a term used to denote the type of fire, in relation to the combustion materials which have (or could be) ignited . This has onward impacts on the type of suppression or extinguishing materials which can be used . Class letters are often assigned to the different types of fire, but these differ between territories . There are separate standards in the United States, Europe, and Australia . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Image </Th> <Th> Description </Th> <Th> Europe (European Standard EN 2) </Th> <Th> United States </Th> <Th> Asia </Th> <Th> Suitable suppression </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Combustible materials (wood, paper, fabric, refuse) </Td> <Td> Class A </Td> <Td> Class A </Td> <Td> Class A </Td> <Td> Most suppression techniques </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Flammable liquids </Td> <Td> Class B </Td> <Td> Class B </Td> <Td> Class B </Td> <Td> Inhibiting chemical chain reaction, such as water mist dry chemical or Halon </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Flammable gases </Td> <Td> Class C </Td> <Td> Class B </Td> <Td> Class C </Td> <Td> Inhibiting chemical chain reaction, such as dry chemical or Halon </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Flammable metals </Td> <Td> Class D </Td> <Td> Class D </Td> <Td> Class D </Td> <Td> Specialist suppression required </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Electrical fire </Td> <Td> not classified (formerly Class E) </Td> <Td> Class C </Td> <Td> Class E </Td> <Td> As ordinary combustibles, but conductive agents like water not to be used </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Cooking oils and fats </Td> <Td> Class F </Td> <Td> Class K </Td> <Td> Class F </Td> <Td> Suppression by removal of oxygen or water mist </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Image </Th> <Th> Description </Th> <Th> Europe (European Standard EN 2) </Th> <Th> United States </Th> <Th> Asia </Th> <Th> Suitable suppression </Th> </Tr>

The various classes of fire eg. a.b.c.d.e.f. identify the fuel source of the fire