Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

In the event of a grease fire, which fire extinguisher type should be used?

1. Type A

2. Type B

3. Type C

4. Type K

The correct answer is: Type K

In the case of a grease fire, which typically occurs in kitchens and involves combustible cooking oils and fats, the appropriate fire extinguisher to use is a Type K extinguisher. Type K extinguishers are specifically designed to combat fires that originate from cooking oils and fats, making them ideal for situations involving grease fires. They contain agents that can effectively cool and extinguish the flames while also preventing re-ignition of the oil. Type A extinguishers are meant for ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth, which would not be effective against the specific nature of a grease fire. Type B extinguishers are suitable for flammable liquids and gases but do not specifically address the high temperatures and challenges presented by grease fires. Type C extinguishers are intended for electrical fires and do not address the extinguishing requirements needed for cooking oils. Thus, using a Type K extinguisher in a grease fire scenario ensures the safety and effectiveness needed to handle such a hazardous situation.