Why should you NEVER throw water on a kitchen grease or oil fire?

Water is heavier than hot cooking oil and sinks directly to the bottom of the burning pan. Because the oil burns at over 400°F (200°C), the water instantly boils into superheated steam, expanding by 1,700 times in volume and blasting burning oil droplets outward into a catastrophic ceiling fireball.

What does an "ABC" fire extinguisher mean for homes?

An ABC fire extinguisher is a multi-purpose dry chemical unit filled with monoammonium phosphate. It is rated to put out Class A (wood/paper), Class B (flammable liquids like gasoline), and Class C (energized electrical appliances), making it the ideal all-around extinguisher for homes and garages.

What does the "PASS" acronym mean in fire safety?

PASS stands for: P - Pull the safety pin; A - Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire; S - Squeeze the operating handle; S - Sweep side to side until the flames are fully extinguished.

NFPA 10 Life Safety Reference

Fire Extinguisher Classes Meaning

Grabbing a fire extinguisher during an emergency? Decode what Class A, B, C, D, and K mean, why water causes kitchen grease explosions, and how to use the P.A.S.S. rule.

🧯 The Universal P.A.S.S. Fire Extinguisher Technique

PPULL

Pull the safety pin to break the tamper seal lock.

AAIM

Aim low at the physical base of the fire, not the flames.

SSQUEEZE

Squeeze the metal trigger handle smoothly.

SSWEEP

Sweep nozzle from side to side until fire is fully smothered.

Class A

Ordinary Combustibles

NFPA Standard 10 Fire Rating

Water, Foam, or Multi-Purpose ABC Dry Chemical Powder.

Burning Materials:

Solid organic materials that leave glowing embers or ash.

Examples: Wood, paper, cardboard, trash, fabric, cotton, dry brush.

Can You Pour Water on This Fire?

SAFE TO USE WATER! Water cools the burning material below its ignition temperature.

How to Extinguish:Aim at the base of the embers, sweep back and forth to douse completely.

Class B

Flammable Liquids & Gases

NFPA Standard 10 Fire Rating

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), Dry Chemical (BC/ABC), or Alcohol-Resistant AFFF Foam.

Burning Materials:

Liquids, greases, and pressurized gases that vaporize and combust.

Examples: Gasoline, diesel, motor oil, paint thinners, kerosene, propane, butane.

Can You Pour Water on This Fire?

FATAL DISASTER! Water is denser than oil; pouring water causes the burning fuel to instantly float and spread, splashing flaming liquids across the entire room!

How to Extinguish:Smother the oxygen from the front edge of the liquid pool towards the back.

Class C

Energized Electrical Equipment

NFPA Standard 10 Fire Rating

CO2 or Clean Agent Halotron (leaves no residue) or Non-conductive Dry Chemical.

Burning Materials:

Electrical circuits, wires, switchboards, and plugged-in appliances.

Examples: Fuse boxes, circuit breaker panels, computers, server racks, electric motors, space heaters.

Can You Pour Water on This Fire?

LETHAL SHOCK RISK! Tap water conducts electricity; shooting a water stream at a live breaker panel will electrocute the person holding the hose.

How to Extinguish:First switch off the main circuit breaker if safe; then spray non-conductive CO2.

Class K (Class F in UK/EU)

Cooking Oils & Deep Fryer Fats

NFPA Standard 10 Fire Rating

Wet Chemical (Potassium acetate/citrate spray).

Burning Materials:

High-temperature cooking oils, vegetable oils, lard, and animal fats in commercial kitchens.

Examples: Commercial deep fryers, restaurant wok stations, cast iron cooking pans with hot vegetable grease.

Can You Pour Water on This Fire?

MASSIVE FIREBALL EXPLOSION! Water instantly vaporizes into steam beneath the 400°F burning oil, expanding 1,700 times in volume and blasting a 10-foot fireball across the ceiling.

How to Extinguish:Discharge wet chemical gently; it reacts with fatty acids ("saponification") creating a thick soapy foam blanket that cuts off oxygen.

Class D

Combustible Metals

NFPA Standard 10 Fire Rating

Dry Powder (Sodium chloride, copper powder, graphite).

Burning Materials:

Pyrophoric and reactive alkali/alkaline earth metals.

Examples: Magnesium car engine parts, titanium shavings, sodium, potassium, lithium metal.

Can You Pour Water on This Fire?

VIOLENT CHEMICAL EXPLOSION! Burning magnesium and sodium strip oxygen from water molecules, releasing pure hydrogen gas which immediately explodes.

How to Extinguish:Gently bury the burning metal under a heavy layer of specialized Class D dry powder.