What is an example of a Class D fire?

Class D fires specifically refer to fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium. These types of fires are unique due to the nature of the materials involved; they require special extinguishing agents and methods that are different from those used for other classes of fires. For instance, water or standard extinguishers are not effective and can even exacerbate the situation.

In this context, while each of the other types of fires mentioned—cooking oils, electrical wiring, and flammable liquids—represent different classifications (Class K for cooking oils, Class C for electrical, Class B for flammable liquids), they do not fit into the criteria for Class D fires. Class D fire extinguishing methods specifically target the traits of combustible metals, making it vital for responders to have the correct training and equipment when faced with such incidents.