Like all fire, a combustible metal fire is, of course, very dangerous. But knowing the causes of it are vital to understanding how to prevent one. Continue reading our helpful guide to discover what a Class D fire is and how you can tackle one if you’re ever faced with a blaze of this nature.
Class D fire explained
A Class D fire is one of the least common types of fire, but once ignited it can spread quickly and ferociously. A Class D fire is fueled by flammable metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, and lithium.
It’s important to note that not all metals are flammable and even those that are, large sheets of the metal only pose a small risk. These fires are commonly the result of fine pieces of metal, like dust and shavings, which are often left over from machine processes. This means that the greatest risk of a Class D fire is in laboratories and industrial facilities.
How to prevent a Class D fire
For combustible metal fires, a stray spark can ignite the blaze, so it’s important to act appropriately to limit the chances of this happening.
In a workplace, ensure regular tidying and maintenance is done to prevent a potential Class D fire. In a no smoking area, make sure no fine pieces of metal are near to a naked flame or spark.
Once you have properly tidied and away any pieces of metal away from potential ignition sources, it’s important to have the proper fire fighting equipment.
How to tackle a Class D fire
The first thing you must do when faced with a combustible metal fire is call the emergency services. Once you’ve done that, the only way to effectively tackle a Class D fire is to use an L2 metal powder fire extinguisher.
This particular fire extinguisher works by smothering the metal of oxygen and cooling the flames, causing the fire to gradually come to a stop. Because combustible metal fires are so rare and unexpected, the situation can get dangerous very quickly if staff are untrained.
One thing to remember with a Class D fire is not to use water when attempting to extinguish. This will actually help to spread the flames and energise the fire, leading it to cause much more damage.
Further Class D fire prevention at NW Fire Solutions
At NW Fire Solutions, we can offer comprehensive industrial fire risk assessments to ensure the safety of your building and its occupants, as well as commercial fire risk assessments.
As well as expert fire risk assessments, we also offer fire safety awareness training. These training sessions are essential for retaining a level of fire safety in the workplace. Basic fire awareness training is a fundamental training course for any business or organisation.
Our training course enables your staff to gain an appropriate understanding of fire safety in the workplace, their roles, responsibilities, and what safety measures should be in place to protect themselves and others.
If you would like to know more about us and the services we provide, don’t hesitate to contact us today on 0151 665 0124 or email us at info@nwfiresolutions.co.uk.