What types of materials fall under Class B fire extinguishers?

Class B fire extinguishers are specifically designed to combat fires involving flammable liquids. This category includes materials such as gasoline, oil, grease, paints, and solvents that can ignite and cause dangerous fires when exposed to an ignition source. The extinguishing agents used in Class B extinguishers, such as foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical agents, are effective at suppressing these types of fires by either smothering the flames or interrupting the chemical reaction that sustains combustion.

In contrast, other types of materials listed do not fall under the Class B categorization. For example, flammable gases, while they can be hazardous, are classified under Class B as they can also create flammable liquid scenarios in the presence of an ignition source. Flammable solids are categorized separately as Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles like wood or paper. Lastly, fires involving electrical equipment are classified as Class C, which require extinguishers that are safe to use around live electrical circuits. Understanding the specific characteristics of fire classes helps in selecting the proper extinguisher for a given fire situation.