Electrical fires are one of the top causes of fires in industrial settings. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) found that fires caused by electrical distribution and lighting equipment accounted for 55% of direct property damage, as well as 9% of civilian injuries from 2011 to 2015. Electrical failure or malfunction caused $25 million dollars of direct property damage in the same time span.When a Class C fire occurs, it’s important to know which fire extinguisher or suppression system is appropriate. How do electrical fires start? How do you fight an electrical fire? Let’s dive into the answers.

What is a Class C Fire?

Fire is categorized into five different types: A, B, C, D, and K. Each type of fire feeds on a specific fuel source and is dealt with using a specific type of fire extinguisher or fire suppression system. For example, Class A fires are the most common type of fire and come from materials like wood, paper, fabric, rubber, and plastic. Water and foam extinguishers are most often used to fight Class A fires. However, Class C fires are electrical fires and a specific fire suppression system is needed. 

Class C fires use live electrical currents or electrical equipment as a source of fuel. A Class C fire can involve electrical tools, wiring, or appliances, and often occur in industrial settings. Keep in mind that Class C fires cannot be fought with water— using water as an extinguishing agent can actually make Class C fires worse! The most effective way to put out a Class C fire is to isolate the source of electricity and use a Class C fire extinguisher. 

What is an Example of a Class C Fire?

A Class C fire can start from a variety of ignition sources, like:

• Electrical power or utility lines
• Electrical service supply wires from a utility electric meter or meter box
• Wiring from meter box to circuit breaker panel board, switchboard, or circuit breaker board
• Electrical branch circuit
• Outlet or receptacle wall switch

However, there are some places where Class C fires are more common. A Class C fire can start in an electrical cabinet. Control cabinets and relay panels have many electrical connections and ignition points. Faulty wiring or short circuits can cause an electrical panel to ignite and spread unless action is taken. The result can be devastating, causing injury to workers, damaged equipment, and lengthy (and costly) downtime. 

Despite the fact that electrical panels have many potential ignition points, fire protection for electrical cabinets is not always a regulatory requirement.