Class B foams are primarily utilized for what types of fires?

Class B foams are specifically designed for combating fires involving flammable liquids, which primarily include hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, oil, and other petroleum products. The effectiveness of Class B foams lies in their ability to create a barrier between the fuel and the fire, smothering the flames and preventing re-ignition, which is critical when dealing with these types of fires.

These foams can spread over the surface of the burning liquid, forming an insulating layer that suppresses vapor release and effectively cools the fire. This makes Class B foam an essential tool in the firefighting arsenal for incidents involving these types of fuels, providing a high level of safety and efficiency when tackling such blazes.

In contrast, aqueous films are typically associated with Class A foams, which target ordinary combustible materials, while electrical fires require non-conductive agents to ensure safety, and metal fires demand specialized techniques and agents due to the unique properties of combustible metals.