What class of fire includes common combustibles such as wood and paper?

Class A fires are specifically associated with ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, and certain types of plastics. These materials are characterized by their ability to ignite easily and can produce significant amounts of ash upon combustion. The extinguishing agents suitable for Class A fires include water and certain dry chemical agents, which work effectively by cooling the burning material and removing heat from the fire triangle (heat, fuel, and oxygen).

In contrast, Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gases, such as oil and gasoline, while Class C fires pertain to electrical equipment, and Class D fires involve combustible metals like magnesium and aluminum. Thus, understanding the classification of fire types is critical for selecting the appropriate extinguishing methods and ensuring effective fire safety protocols on board vessels and in other environments.