Dry powder extinguishers are used to put out what class of fires?

• A. Class A
• B. Class D
• C. Class B or C
• D. Class B

Answer: (C)

Dry powder extinguishers work by dispersing a fine chemical powder that coats the fuel and disrupts the chemical reactions taking place in the flame, effectively smothering the fire. This makes them suitable for fires involving flammable liquids (Class B) and for electrical fires (Class C) because the powder can interrupt the burn and does not create a conductive path that could worsen an electrical fire. They’re not designed for metal fires (Class D), which require a specific powder formulated for reacting with metals, so the best match is fires involving flammable liquids or energized electrical equipment.