What is a recommended action in the event of a Class D fire?

Class D fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, and sodium, which burn at extremely high temperatures and can react violently with water. Therefore, using water or foam is both ineffective and potentially dangerous, as these substances can exacerbate the fire by causing violent reactions.

The recommended action for Class D fires is to use a dry powder extinguishing agent specifically designed for metals. These agents, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or other specialized dry powders, work by smothering the fire and creating a barrier between the fuel and the atmosphere, effectively extinguishing the flames without reacting adversely with the burning metals.

Smothering with blankets might not provide the necessary properties needed for extinguishing a Class D fire and could be ineffective against burning metals, which may continue to burn through the blanket material. Hence, the use of a dry powder extinguishing agent is the safest and most effective approach for managing such fires.