Which of the following is a potential cause of Class K fires?

Class K fires primarily occur in cooking environments and are specifically associated with cooking oils and fats. These types of fires are often ignited when cooking oils are subjected to high temperatures, which can lead to them overheating and reaching their flash point. When oil exceeds its flash point, it can spontaneously ignite, leading to a Class K fire, which is characterized by the burning of vegetable and animal oils and fats.

Understanding the nature of Class K fires is critical for fire safety, particularly in kitchens where deep frying and sautéing are common. Therefore, being aware of the potential for cooking oils to reach dangerous temperatures is vital for preventing these types of fire incidents.

The other choices involve different fire classifications: electrical shorts are associated with Class C fires, literary materials catching fire is related to Class A fires, and heating system malfunctions can lead to Class A or possibly Class B fires, depending on the materials involved. However, they do not pertain directly to the risks associated with Class K fires.