Final answer:
When choosing the right fire extinguisher, it's important to know about the substance's flammability, reactivity, health hazards, and any special hazards it may pose. Safety data sheets and the NFPA's Hazard Identification System can provide valuable information.
Step-by-step explanation:
When choosing the right fire extinguisher, it's important to know about the substance you're dealing with. Factors to consider include its flammability, reactivity, health hazards, and any special hazards it may pose.
One way to gather information about a substance is by consulting safety data sheets, which provide details about how to work with chemicals and the dangers they pose. The National Fire Protection Agency's Hazard Identification System also provides valuable safety information, rating substances on factors like fire hazard, health hazard, reactivity hazard, and special hazards.