Portable fire extinguishers may be used by those trained in their use on fires of limited size while not placing themselves or others in danger.

Fires are classified into groups according to the nature of the material subject to fire. Fire extinguisher classification corresponds to these groups:

Class A:
Fires consisting of ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper, some plastics, and textiles, where a quenching and cooling action of the extinguishing agent is required.

Class B:
Fires consisting of flammable liquid and gas, such as oil, gasoline, paint, acetone, and grease, where oxygen exclusion or a flame-interrupting effect of the extinguishing agent is required.

Class C:
Fire involving electrical wiring and electrical equipment where dielectric nonconductivity of the extinguishing agent is required.

Class D:
Fires consisting of combustible metals, such as magnesium, potassium, powdered aluminum, zinc, sodium, titanium, zirconium, and lithium, where a material specific extinguishing agent is required.

Be informed regarding the locations and classification of portable fire extinguishers in your area. If you observe portable fire extinguishers that have been tampered with, rendered nonfunctional, or are missing, a report should be made to the university's Environmental Health and Safety Office Ext. 2618.