Most people are familiar with fires involving wood, grease, or electrical equipment. But in certain industries, a different danger exists: metal fires. These rare but dangerous incidents require specialized equipment—specifically, Class D fire extinguishers.
What Is a Class D Fire?
Class D fires involve combustible metals such as:
- Magnesium
- Titanium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Aluminum powders
These metals burn at extremely high temperatures and can react violently with water or standard extinguishing agents.
How Class D Extinguishers Work
Class D extinguishers contain dry powder agents designed to:
- Smother the fire by forming a crust over the burning metal.
- Absorb heat, cooling the fire and preventing spread.
- Prevent dangerous reactions that could occur with water.
Where Are They Needed?
Class D extinguishers are essential in:
- Metalworking and machining shops
- Laboratories and research facilities
- Aerospace and automotive industries
- Military and defense applications
Benefits of Class D Extinguishers
- Specifically engineered for metal fires.
- Prevents violent reactions caused by water or other agents.
- Provides safe, effective suppression for high-heat metal combustion.
Limitations
- Only for metal fires—not effective on Class A, B, C, or K fires.
- More specialized and less common than standard extinguishers.
Final Thoughts
While most businesses may never face a Class D fire, for industries that work with combustible metals, having the right extinguisher can mean the difference between a contained incident and a catastrophic event. Class D fire extinguishers are not optional—they are essential.