What is the recommended initial step when a Class K fire is detected in a kitchen?

• A. Evacuate people if needed and then use the extinguisher only if it is safe to do so and you are trained
• B. Immediately run to the fire and spray
• C. Call for water
• D. Ignore and continue working

Answer: (A)

When a Class K fire occurs in a kitchen, the priority is people safety. The best first step is to evacuate anyone who needs help and then, only if you are trained and it is safe to do so, use a suitable extinguisher to fight the fire. Cooking oil fires are tricky: they can flare up and spread quickly, and using water or attempting to douse the flames without the right training can make things worse. A wet chemical extinguisher designed for Class K must be used correctly from a safe position and with an escape route clear. If you’re not confident you can reach and operate the extinguisher safely, or the fire is growing, leave the area and call for help. The other options ignore safety, involve dangerous actions around hot oil, or misuse water on an oil fire, so they’re not appropriate.