Basic Corrections Officer: Certification Study Guide

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the Basic Corrections Officer Certification. Prepare with detailed quizzes and insightful explanations to bolster your knowledge. Ace the exam with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What type of fires are water-based extinguishers suitable for?

Class B and C fires
Class A fires only
Flammable Metal fires
General Combustion fires

The correct answer is: Class A fires only

Water-based extinguishers are specifically designed for Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth. This type of extinguisher works by cooling the burning material and reducing the heat needed for combustion. Using water on Class A fires effectively cools the material, thereby extinguishing the flames. However, it is important to note that water is not suitable for Class B fires (involving flammable liquids like gasoline) or Class C fires (involving electrical equipment) because using water on these types of fires can spread the flames or risk electric shock. While the term "general combustion fires" may seem broadly applicable, it does not specifically define the types of materials involved, which can lead to confusion. On the other hand, flammable metal fires (Class D) require specialized extinguishing agents that are not water-based, making water ineffective and potentially hazardous in that scenario. Overall, water-based extinguishers are best suited for extinguishing fires involving solid combustible materials classified under Class A.