Internertional Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Basic Officer Certification Practice Exam

A Class B fire extinguisher is specifically designed to combat fires that involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, grease, and solvents. These types of fires are characterized by the presence of combustible liquids that can produce flammable vapors, making them particularly dangerous as they can spread quickly and are often difficult to control.

Understanding the classifications of fire extinguishers helps in effectively tackling different fire sources. Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustibles like wood and paper, Class C extinguishers are geared towards electrical fires, and Class K is used for cooking oils and fats. Each type of extinguisher contains specific agents that are suited to extinguishing particular materials without exacerbating the fire. Thus, using a Class B extinguisher for flammable liquid fires directly addresses the chemical properties of those fires and helps in suppressing them safely and efficiently.