A fire involving energized electrical equipment is classified as which type of fire?

A fire involving energized electrical equipment is classified as a Class C fire. This classification is specific to fires that involve energized electrical conductors and equipment, where the use of water as an extinguishing agent can pose a severe risk due to the potential for electrical shock or further fire hazards.

Class C fires are distinct from other fire classes, which are based on the types of materials that are burning. For example, Class A fires involve combustible materials such as wood or paper, Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gases, and Class D fires pertain to combustible metals. Therefore, handling a fire involving energized electrical equipment requires specialized extinguishing agents like dry chemical extinguishers or CO2, which are safe to use on electrical fires without conducting electricity. Understanding these classifications is crucial for proper fire safety protocols in any setting involving electrical equipment.