Which type of fire extinguisher is suitable for Class A fires?

Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, and some plastics. Water or foam extinguishers are suitable for extinguishing Class A fires because they work by cooling the burning material and removing heat, which is one of the elements of the fire triangle. Water extinguishers can directly cool down the burning materials, while foam extinguishers can also suffocate the fire by creating a barrier between the fuel and the air.

In contrast, CO2 extinguishers are more effective for Class B and Class C fires since they displace oxygen and do not provide cooling. Dust extinguishers typically are not recognized for general use, and dry chemical extinguishers, while versatile, are not specifically designed to handle the cooling needs of Class A materials as effectively as water or foam extinguishers would. For these reasons, water or foam extinguishers are the most appropriate choice for Class A fires.