Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for Type A fires?

The water type extinguisher is appropriate for Type A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and some plastics. Water is effective in these scenarios because it cools and extinguishes the flames by removing heat, which is one of the three essential components of fire (heat, fuel, and oxygen).

When using a water type extinguisher, the goal is to apply the water to the burning material directly, thereby lowering the temperature below the ignition point. This method is straightforward and highly effective for the materials classified under Type A fires, making it a suitable choice for most ordinary fire situations found in homes and workplaces.

In contrast, other types of extinguishers, such as carbon dioxide, dry chemical, and foam agents, are designed for different classes of fires. Carbon dioxide is primarily used for electrical and flammable liquid fires; dry chemical extinguishers are versatile but often most effective on flammable liquids and gases; and foam agents serve well in both flammable liquid fires and can be somewhat effective on solids, but they are not the primary choice for Type A fires.