Which extinguisher type is commonly recommended for general shop fires?

• A. Water
• B. Foam
• C. CO2
• D. ABC

Answer: (D)

A single extinguisher that covers multiple fire classes is ideal in a shop setting. An ABC dry chemical extinguisher is designed to handle Class A fires (ordinary combustibles like wood and paper), Class B fires (flammable liquids), and Class C fires (electrical equipment). That broad capability means you can respond to the most common shop hazards with one tool, without needing to guess the fire type or switch extinguishers.

Water extinguishers tackle only ordinary combustibles and can be dangerous on energized electrical fires. Foam extinguishers can handle some A and B fires but aren’t reliable for electrical hazards and may not be as effective on certain solvent fires. CO2 extinguishers work well on electrical fires in small, unoccupied spaces but don’t effectively address wood/paper or many liquid-fuel fires, and they can pose a risk to people in occupied areas by displacing oxygen. The ABC option therefore provides the most versatile, safe, and practical coverage for the typical mix of hazards found in a general shop.