Final answer:
A portable fire extinguisher is an important safety equipment used to suppress small fires. The minimum rating required for a portable fire extinguisher is 5-B:C, indicating its suitability for Class B and Class C fires.
Step-by-step explanation:
A portable fire extinguisher is an important safety equipment used to suppress small fires. The letter ratings on the fire extinguisher indicate the types of fires it can effectively extinguish.
According to the question, the minimum rating required for a portable fire extinguisher is 5-B:C. This means that the fire extinguisher is suitable for Class B and Class C fires, where Class B fires involve flammable liquids and Class C fires involve electrical equipment.
Therefore, option (a) with a minimum rating of 5-B:C is the correct answer.