Which type of extinguishers would you use on a Charlie fire?

In firefighting, a Charlie fire refers to a fire involving combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, or sodium. These types of fires are particularly challenging to extinguish because they can burn at extremely high temperatures and may react violently with water or other extinguishing agents.

Using CO2 fire extinguishers is appropriate for a Charlie fire because they work by displacing oxygen, which is crucial for the combustion process. CO2 is non-conductive and leaves no residue, making it safe for use around sensitive equipment, which may be present when dealing with metal fires. Additionally, CO2 extinguishers do not react with metals in the same way that water would, preventing the risk of violent reactions.

While dry chemical extinguishers can also be effective against certain types of metal fires, CO2 is often preferred for its properties and effectiveness in suppressing the fire without introducing additional risks.