Dry chemical agents are most effective for extinguishing which type of fires?

Dry chemical agents are specifically designed to interrupt the chemical reaction of fire, making them highly effective for extinguishing three-dimensional fires and running fuel fires. These types of fires often involve flammable liquids or gases that spread rapidly, requiring a firefighting agent that can quickly suppress the flames and prevent re-ignition.

In particular, dry chemical agents, such as those based on monoammonium phosphate or sodium bicarbonate, provide a versatile and powerful means of tackling these fire classes. They can effectively smother the flames and cool the fuel, which is crucial in situations where fuel might be spilling or flowing. The versatility of these agents allows them to be used in a variety of situations, and they are particularly beneficial in environments like airports where the risk of multiple and different fire types is present.

While dry chemical agents can extinguish electrical fires and cooking oil fires, their effectiveness is primarily highlighted in rapidly spreading fuel fires due to their ability to handle the dynamic nature of these incidents.