Which portable fire extinguishers should be used to fight a small fire burning in a pile of discarded oily rags?

Prepare for the Automotive Service Technician Period 1 exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Fires from discarded oily rags involve both ordinary combustibles (the cloth/rags) and flammable liquids (the oil). To safely fight such a fire with a portable extinguisher, you want a unit that can handle both types of fuel. An extinguisher rated for both A (ordinary combustibles) and B (flammable liquids) provides this coverage, and many are also suitable for electrical hazards if encountered. That’s why the best choice is the extinguisher that covers all applicable hazards. Using an extinguisher only for ordinary combustibles would miss the oil factor, while one only for liquids wouldn’t address the cloth, and focusing solely on electrical capability isn’t needed here.