What type of fire extinguisher should you use for combustible metals?

For fires involving combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, or sodium, a Class D extinguisher is specifically designed to combat these types of fires. Unlike other extinguisher classes, Class D extinguishers utilize dry powder agents that are effective against the unique combustion characteristics of metal fires. Water and standard extinguishing agents can cause these fires to spread or even explode due to the intense heat and chemical reactions involved in burning metals.

In contrast, a Class C extinguisher is intended for electrical fires, Class A extinguishers are used for ordinary combustibles like wood and paper, and Class B extinguishers are meant for flammable liquids and gases. Each of these classes has specific applications that do not apply to combustible metals, underscoring the importance of using a Class D extinguisher for effective fire suppression in those scenarios.