Vegetable oil and fat fires are classified as which class of fire?

Vegetable oil and fat fires are classified as Class K fires. This classification specifically addresses fires that involve cooking oils and fats, which are common in commercial kitchens and food preparation areas. Class K fires can result from the ignition of oils, grease, or fat at high temperatures and require specialized extinguishing agents capable of effectively dealing with them.

The reason Class K extinguishers are essential is that they contain agents that can extinguish these types of fires by cooling and emulsifying the burning oils. Regular extinguishers, such as those for Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids), and Class C (electrical fires), are not suitable for addressing Class K fires due to the unique properties and combustion characteristics of fats and oils. Therefore, understanding the classification helps ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place, particularly in kitchen environments.