Fires involving metals such as sodium and magnesium fall under Class D. Which metal fuel example is correct?

Fires involving metals such as sodium and magnesium fall under Class D. Which metal fuel example is correct?

• A. SODIUM
• B. GLASS
• C. WATER
• D. SAND

Answer: (A)

Class D fires involve combustible metals that can burn violently and require special extinguishing methods. These fires aren’t put out with water or standard foam because many reactive metals react with water and air, producing more heat or hazardous byproducts. The metal fuel example that fits this category is a metal that can actually burn as fuel in these fires. Sodium is a metal, so it serves as a metal fuel in Class D fires. The other options aren’t metal fuels: glass is not a metal, water is a liquid and a reactive hazard with many metals, and sand is an inert material used to smother or isolate heat, not a metal fuel.

Class D fires involve combustible metals that can burn violently and require special extinguishing methods. These fires aren’t put out with water or standard foam because many reactive metals react with water and air, producing more heat or hazardous byproducts. The metal fuel example that fits this category is a metal that can actually burn as fuel in these fires. Sodium is a metal, so it serves as a metal fuel in Class D fires. The other options aren’t metal fuels: glass is not a metal, water is a liquid and a reactive hazard with many metals, and sand is an inert material used to smother or isolate heat, not a metal fuel.