What should ideally be used to extinguish a Class A fire?

Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, and cloth. Water is the most effective agent for extinguishing these types of fires because it cools the burning material below its ignition temperature and absorbs heat. When water is applied to a Class A fire, it not only extinguishes the flames but also helps to prevent the re-ignition of the material involved.

Using water on Class A fires is standard practice and is recommended because it does not produce any harmful gases as some other extinguishing agents might. In contrast, dry chemical agents and CO2 are better suited for other classes of fires. Dry chemical agents may not effectively cool down the material, while CO2 is ineffective on burning materials that can absorb and retain heat.

Therefore, when dealing with Class A fires, water is considered the ideal extinguishing agent due to its cooling properties and ease of use, making it the safest and most effective choice.