What type of fires are wet chemical extinguishers primarily used for?

Wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed to combat fires involving cooking oils and fats, which are categorized as Class K fires in the United States. These types of fires are particularly challenging to extinguish due to the high temperatures that cooking oils can reach and the tendency for them to splatter when they are being extinguished.

The wet chemical agent in these extinguishers does more than just smother the flames; it also cools the surface and forms a soap-like solution that can effectively encapsulate the burning oils, preventing re-ignition. This is crucial in kitchens where such fires might occur due to frying or cooking processes.

Other types of fires, such as electrical fires and flammable liquids, require different types of extinguishing agents that are tailored to their specific properties and hazards. General solid combustibles, which include materials like wood and paper, are often managed with water or dry chemical extinguishers. Therefore, the unique formulation and application of wet chemical extinguishers make them the appropriate choice for tackling fires caused by cooking oils and fats.