What type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for Class A fires?

Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, and certain types of plastics. The use of water or foam extinguishers is highly effective for these types of fires because these extinguishing agents work by cooling the burning material below its ignition temperature and/or by smothering the fire to further prevent combustion.

Water extinguishers cool the flames and combustible materials, whereas foam extinguishers not only cool but also form a blanket over the burning material to prevent re-ignition. This makes them particularly suitable for fires involving solid combustibles that are typically found in residential and commercial settings. The effectiveness of water and foam in combating Class A fires makes them the recommended choice for this classification.

Other options, such as K-P extinguishers, are tailored specifically for kitchen fires (Class K), which involve cooking oils and fats, while dry chemical extinguishers and CO2 extinguishers are more versatile but are not specifically targeted to the cooling mechanism that Class A fires require. Thus, while they may suppress various types of fires, they are not the most effective choice for the specific scenario involving Class A fire materials.