Which extinguisher is known to be effective for specific metal fires?

The Potassium Chloride extinguisher is particularly effective for fires involving combustible metals, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. These types of fires are classified as Class D fires and require specialized extinguishing agents that can smother the flames and prevent the metal from igniting further.

Potassium chloride works by forming a protective layer over such metals, effectively isolating the burning material from the oxygen in the environment, and thus extinguishing the fire. Its specific chemical properties make it suitable for reactive metals, allowing it to handle the unique challenges presented by these kinds of fires.

The other extinguishers are more suited for different types of fires. For example, potassium phosphate and mono ammonium phosphate are generally used for Class A (ordinary combustibles) and Class B (flammable liquids) fires, while sodium bicarbonate is primarily effective for Class B fires as well. Therefore, while those extinguishers can be effective for various fire types, they do not address the specific needs of metal fires the same way potassium chloride does.