What type of fire extinguisher is suitable for burning metals?

When dealing with fires involving combustible metals, it's crucial to use the appropriate type of fire extinguisher to effectively extinguish the fire without exacerbating the situation. The correct choice, dry powder extinguishers classified as Class D, are specially designed for this purpose.

Class D extinguishers contain dry powder agents that work by smothering the fire and cooling the burning metal. These powders are specifically formulated to resist the unique combustion properties of metals like magnesium, titanium, and sodium, which can react violently with water and other common extinguishing agents.

Using a Class D extinguisher is essential because using water or other extinguishing agents, such as those in the other options, can lead to dangerous reactions in metal fires and may worsen the situation. Thus, Class D extinguishers are indispensable in environments where metal fires may occur, ensuring both effective fire suppression and safety for responders and surrounding personnel.