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On a fire extinguisher, which fire class means energized electrical equipment?

Class C, which needs a nonconductive agent.

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  1. Class A
  2. Class B
  3. Class C ✔

Why: FAA guidance on aircraft hand extinguishers lists Class A for ordinary materials like cloth and paper, Class B for flammable liquids, and Class C for live electrical equipment.

Huh, didn't know that: The same FAA circular says not to use halon on a Class D fire, burning metal, because it can react with the metal.

The dad joke
My fire extinguisher got a C in electrical class. Turns out that's the top grade.
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References

Answer: Class C. FAA guidance on aircraft hand extinguishers lists Class A for ordinary materials like cloth and paper, Class B for flammable liquids, and Class C for live electrical equipment.

  1. FAA AC 20-42D, Hand Fire Extinguishers for use in Aircraft www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/ac_20-42d.pdf
    Class C. Fires involving energized electrical equipment where the use of an extinguishing media that is electrically nonconductive is important.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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