What type of fire may be classified as a Class K fire?

A Class K fire is specifically associated with cooking oils and fats, particularly those used in commercial cooking environments. This classification is important because traditional fire suppression methods, such as water, can exacerbate Class K fires, leading to dangerous flare-ups or spreading. Instead, Class K fires require special extinguishing agents, typically those designed to cool and saponify the cooking oils, such as wet chemical extinguishers.

In the context of fire classifications, the other types listed do not pertain to Class K. Fires from electrical equipment are classified as Class C, while fires from flammable gases typically fall under Class B. Fires involving combustible metals are categorized as Class D. Each class has distinct characteristics and requires specific firefighting approaches; therefore, identifying a Class K fire's unique nature centered around cooking oils is vital for effective fire management.