Metal Fire
Characteristics & Safety Tips

Fire Classifications

How to Deal with a Magnesium Fire Hazard

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Disclaimer

Fires are classified as follows by the National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org):

Class A – (Think 'Ashes') ... ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper, fabric, and so forth.

Class B – (Think 'Boil') ... combustible liquids, such as gasoline, alcohol, paint thinner, etc.

Class C – (Think 'Circuit') ... electrical fires.

Class K – (Think 'Kitchen') ... oil and grease fires. Similar to class B fires.

Class D – (Think DIEMASTER.COM) … combustible metal fires.

All fires are potentially dangerous events.  By a young age almost all human beings have had experiences with fire and heat and have developed an instinctive understanding of what to do, and not do, in the case of fire.

However, metal fire characteristics somewhat defy what we have come to know about fires and bad outcomes can result from ignorance.  The very basics:

1. Many do not know that some metals are combustible and can burn.  See the home page of this website for a list of the most common combustible metals.

2. As a general rule, the most trusted fire fighting agent of all time, water, will not extinguish a metal fire and in all likelihood make it worse … much worse.

3. As a general rule, general fire extinguisher units intended to fight A, B, C, and K fires are not effective against metal fires.  And, depending upon the chemicals employed some of these fire extinguisher agents can excite a metal fire.

WHAT TO DO?!

1. Don’t misunderstand the risk.  For example, aluminum and magnesium can and will burn. But, in the forms that the average person may encounter them, aluminum and magnesium are quite safe.  One cannot set a magnesium car wheel on fire with a blow-torch.  This is because a mass of magnesium is such an efficient conductor of heat that the temperature of combustion cannot be maintained.  However, in the form of sawdust, machine scrap and other fines magnesium can present a very real fire hazard and it may not take much ignition energy to set it off depending upon its composition. Generally, the same is true of other combustible metals.

2. If you are exposed to a metal fire risk it will almost certainly be in an industrial or laboratory setting.  The first ‘what to do?’ is to realize that an unusual type of fire hazard exists and take common sense measures to insure that your risk is no greater than being around other combustibles.
   
        a - Make certain that everyone working in such and environment understands that they are working in an unusual environment.
   
        b - Make certain that class D fire fighting material is readily available.  This is no different than McDonald’s having class K agent in their kitchens. Simply have the proper material at hand to deal with the problem if you have one. Also realize that a metal fire, no matter how quickly you extinguish it, runs a high probability of igniting other combustibles, if they are present nearby.  If appropriate A, B, or C extinguishers should also be available.
   
         c - Practice unusually good housekeeping.  Don’t let quantities of combustible metal scrap accumulate in the workplace. Move daily scrap to a place where other combustibles are not nearby.  Get combustible metal scrap off site routinely.  You should easily find a scrap metals market for the material. There can be no fire if there is nothing to burn.
   
   If you practice these three basic principles, above (a) recognition and training, (b) be prepared, and (c) good housekeeping, you will have lowered you risk dramatically.

IF YOU DO HAVE A METAL FIRE:

Assuming you have followed the three basic rules above:

1. Realize that a metal fire tends to be a very fast moving event.  That is why your class D extinguishing agent should be very close to the points of possible risk. React quickly.
   

2. Though the fire will probably be over before unnecessary bystanders appear, get them away for their safety.  Other ‘spots’ can flare up and other combustibles may flare up.

Be prepared for the unexpected! Order METAL.FIRE.XTNGSHR Class D (metal fire) extinguishing agent from Diemasters. Contact us now to have this effective powder-based extinguishing agent on hand.

Disclaimer: This page contains information, guidelines and tips about dealing with a magnesium fire and is not meant to be a comprehensive reference. We cannot foresee all possible situations or circumstances, so you should not accept the information in this article as the “final” authority. We strongly advise you take a class or course on the correct methods for dealing with all kinds of fires and the proper use of fire extinguishers. Sponsors of such courses may be your local fire department, campus fire marshal and your employer.

Learn about Diemaster.com’s Class D powder-based fire extinguishing agent.

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