Which class is associated with cooking oils and fats commonly found in kitchens?

Which class is associated with cooking oils and fats commonly found in kitchens?

• A. Class A
• B. Class B
• C. Class K
• D. Class C

Answer: (C)

Fires involving cooking oils and fats behave differently from other common fire types because fats can reach very high temperatures and form a burning layer that’s hard to cool or smother with ordinary extinguishing methods. The extinguisher class designed for these situations uses a wet chemical agent that saponifies fats—turning the oil into a soapy layer. This soapy layer cools the oil, creates a barrier between the fuel and the air, and helps prevent reignition, making it specifically effective for kitchen grease fires. That specialized approach is why this classification is the best fit for cooking oils and fats found in kitchens. It’s also important to remember that water should not be used on oil fires, as it can cause splashing and spreading of the fire, and that other classifications don’t address the unique behavior of burning fats.