What does a Class D extinguisher specifically combat?

A Class D extinguisher is specifically designed for combating fires involving combustible metals, which includes substances such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, and potassium. These metals can ignite and burn at extremely high temperatures and often react violently with water or common extinguishing agents, making specialized extinguishing agents essential for safety.

Class D extinguishers typically contain dry powder agents that smother the fire and are engineered to create a barrier between the metal and the oxygen in the air, effectively suppressing the flames. Understanding this is critical in environments where such metals are handled or processed, as the wrong type of extinguisher could inadvertently exacerbate the fire or create hazardous reactions.

In contrast, other fire classes do not adequately address the unique properties of combustible metals, which is why a general understanding of fire extinguisher types is vital for firefighters and safety professionals.