Final answer:
When selecting the appropriate fire extinguisher, one should consider the class of fire based on the materials burning to determine the correct extinguishing agent. The color of the extinguisher can indicate its class and usage. Flammability is a chemical property of a substance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selecting the Appropriate Fire Extinguisher
When selecting the appropriate type of fire extinguisher to use on a given fire, the primary factor to consider is the class of fire. This relates to the materials that are burning and will determine the extinguishing agent that should be used to effectively put out the fire. The main classes of fire include Class A (fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper, and textiles), Class B (fires involving flammable liquids), Class C (fires involving gases), Class D (fires involving metals), and Class K (fires involving cooking oils and fats).
The color of the extinguisher is often related to the extinguishing agent it contains and the class of fire it is designed to combat. The specific labels and color codes can help identify the right extinguisher for the job. It is not as important to consider factors such as the size of the flames, temperature of the surroundings, or weight of the extinguisher in this initial selection, although the size of the extinguisher can relate to the size of the fire it is capable of handling.
Chemical Property: Flammability
Flammability is a chemical property of a substance because it indicates how a substance reacts with fire or how easily it can catch fire. Other chemical properties include reactivity and acidity. Physical properties, such as melting point, boiling point, and density, describe the physical characteristics and behaviors of a substance that do not involve a substance changing into another substance.