Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What type of hazard does ammonium phosphate effectively address?

1. Electrical fires

2. Chemical spills

3. Ordinary combustibles

4. Flammable liquids

The correct answer is: Ordinary combustibles

Ammonium phosphate is primarily used as a fire suppressant and is particularly effective for combating fires involving ordinary combustibles, which include materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and certain plastics. When ammonium phosphate is deployed, it functions by creating a barrier that inhibits the combustion process, thereby extinguishing the fire. This type of fire suppression agent works well in Class A fire situations, where ordinary combustibles are the primary fuel. The effectiveness of ammonium phosphate in this context is due to its ability to cool the burning material and form a coating that smothers the flames, thereby reducing the air supply that fuels the fire. In contrast, the other options pertain to different types of hazards and fire incidents. For instance, electrical fires typically require extinguishing agents that do not conduct electricity, while flammable liquids necessitate other specialized fire suppression methods. Chemical spills, on the other hand, often involve the risk of reaction or toxicity, requiring specific containment and cleanup measures. Thus, ammonium phosphate stands out for its effectiveness in addressing the hazards posed by ordinary combustibles.