Blog

Knowing the type of fire you’re dealing with matters. A small fire might seem manageable at first, but if you’re not using the right approach, it can spread fast. 

Fire falls under different categories but Type A fires are the most common. These usually occur in offices, warehouses, restaurants, and homes.

Since they’re so common, it’s important to know what causes Type A fires, how to extinguish them safely (such as what fire extinguishers to use), and what steps to take to prevent them in the first place. Here’s what you need to know to keep your business, employees, and property safe.

Key Takeaways

• Type A fires involve everyday combustibles like wood, paper, and fabric, making them the most common type of fire.
• Using water or foam extinguishers is the safest way to put out a Type A fire and prevent re-ignition.
• Proper fire prevention measures, like safe storage and regular inspections, reduce the risk of Class A fires in workplaces.

Characteristics of Class A Fires

Type A fires are the most common type of fire, and they spread quickly when fueled by everyday materials. 

Materials involved

These fires occur when ordinary combustibles ignite, including:

• Wood – Furniture, construction materials, and pallets.
• Paper – Office documents, cardboard, and packaging materials.
• Cloth – Upholstery, curtains, and clothing.
• Rubber & plastics – Tires, foam padding, and synthetic fabrics.

Where these fires occur

Because Class A fires are fueled by everyday materials, they can happen anywhere. Some of the most common places include:

• Offices & retail stores – Stacks of paper, furniture, and electrical equipment near heat sources.
• Warehouses & industrial spaces – Stored pallets, packing materials, and faulty wiring near flammable items.
• Restaurants & homes – Cooking fires that spread to dish towels, napkins, or wooden cabinets.

How class A fires spread

A fuel source like wood or cloth catches fire, and oxygen keeps it burning. Without quick action, these fires will spread fast—especially in dry environments—and reignite if not completely extinguished. They can also be made worse by the wrong extinguisher—using a carbon dioxide or class B extinguisher on a Class A fire won’t be effective at all.

Common Causes of Class A Fires

Class A fires start when ordinary combustibles ignite, but what actually sparks the flames? These fires occur in everyday settings, often from things people use all the time. Here are the most common causes:

Open flames

Leaving an open flame unattended is one of the easiest ways to start a fire.

• Candles – A knocked-over candle can quickly ignite curtains, furniture, or paper.
• Matches & lighters – Improper disposal or accidental drops can lead to flames catching nearby materials.
• Fireplaces – Sparks from a poorly maintained fireplace can spread to wood floors or rugs.

Electrical malfunctions

While Class A fires don’t originate from electrical equipment, faulty wiring, and malfunctions can ignite surrounding combustibles.

• Overloaded circuits – Too many devices plugged into a single fuse box or outlet can overheat and start a fire.
• Damaged wires – Exposed or frayed wiring can spark, igniting nearby paper, cloth, or insulation.
• Malfunctioning appliances – Defective equipment can generate enough heat to catch surrounding materials on fire.

Heat sources

Certain appliances and equipment generate high temperatures that can ignite ordinary combustibles if they’re placed too close.

• Space heaters – Keeping space heaters too close to curtains, furniture, or clothing is a common fire hazard.
• Cooking appliances – Hot stovetops and ovens can ignite grease, dish towels, or wooden utensils.
• Industrial machinery – In factories or warehouses, overheated machinery can spark a Class A fire.

Extinguishing Methods for Class A Fires

Class A fires may be common, but putting them out requires the right type of fire extinguisher. Using the wrong type can make the fire worse or even cause re-ignition. Here’s what works best:

Water and water-based extinguishers

For Class A fires, water extinguishers are the go-to solution.

• How they work – Water extinguishers cool the fuel source, lowering the temperature and stopping the fire from spreading.
• Best for – Wood, paper, cloth, and other ordinary combustibles.
• Caution – Never use water on Class B or Class C fires involving flammable liquids or electrical equipment—it can cause dangerous flare-ups or electrical shock.

Foam extinguishers

In some cases, foam extinguishers can be used to put out Class A fires, especially in residential settings and workplaces.

• How they work – Foam blankets the fire, smothering it and cutting off its oxygen supply.
• Best for – Situations where both Class A and Class B fires are present, such as furniture fires near fuel sources like gasoline or oil.

Using the right extinguisher matters

Why should you use the right type only? Well, choosing the wrong type of fire extinguisher can create more danger.

• Water on electrical fires (Class C) – Can cause electrocution.
• Foam on combustible metals (Class D) – May react dangerously with certain metals like magnesium.
• CO₂ on Class A fires – May not fully extinguish the fire.

The right extinguisher will help keep fire damage to a minimum and prevent early-stage fires from becoming disasters. 

Preventative Measures

Stopping a Class A fire before it starts is always the best approach. Simple fire safety measures can reduce the risk and keep your business, employees, and property safe.

Store combustible materials safely

• Keep paper, wood, cloth, and other flammable materials away from heat sources.
• Store oil-soaked rags in metal containers to prevent accidental ignition.
• Dispose of waste regularly to avoid buildup of combustible materials.

Maintain electrical systems

• Schedule routine inspections of wiring, outlets, and appliances to catch potential hazards early.
• Avoid overloading circuits with too many devices, which can cause overheating.
• Repair or replace damaged cords to prevent sparks that could ignite nearby materials.

Install and maintain fire detection systems

• Smoke detectors and fire alarms should be installed in all key areas.
• Test alarms regularly and replace batteries as needed.
• Consider professional fire service inspections to ensure fire extinguishers and alarm systems are in top working condition.

Taking these preventative steps can make the difference between a small incident and a devastating fire. For even stronger protection, professional fire safety services can help assess risks and put additional safeguards in place.

Fire Safety Starts with the Right Protection

Having the right fire extinguishers and safety measures in place can make all the difference when a fire breaks out. At Swartz Fire & Safety, we provide expert fire protection services, from fire extinguisher inspections to full fire safety solutions for businesses.

Need to upgrade your fire safety? Contact us today for professional assessments, equipment, and training to keep your workplace protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Type B fire?

A Type B fire involves flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, alcohol, and propane. These fires require foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical extinguishers—never water, as it can spread the flames.

What is Type A fire rating?

The Type A fire rating measures how effective an extinguisher is at putting out Class A fires (those involving wood, paper, cloth, and other ordinary combustibles). Higher numbers indicate greater firefighting capacity.

What is in a Type A fire extinguisher?

A Type A fire extinguisher typically contains water or foam, both of which cool the fire and prevent re-ignition. These extinguishers should not be used on electrical fires, metal fires, or flammable liquids.

What describes a Class A fire?

A Class A fire involves ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, ash, and cloth. These fires spread when exposed to oxygen and heat and are best extinguished with water or foam-based extinguishers.