🔍 Key Concepts

• 46 CFR regulations on fire protection for inspected vessels • The difference between class of fire (A, B, C, D, K) and size rating (numbers) on extinguishers • How the letter and number parts of an extinguisher rating each describe different characteristics

💭 Think About

• Think about what the letters A, B, C, etc. usually describe when you see them on fire extinguishers in any setting, not just ships. • Ask yourself: does the Coast Guard care more about where you use the extinguisher, what’s inside it, or what kind of fire it will be effective on? • Consider how the numeric designator is used. If the number already tells you something like capacity or effectiveness, what is left for the letter to describe?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify in 46 CFR that letters and numbers describe different aspects of the extinguisher’s rating. • Confirm which answer choice best matches what letters A, B, C, etc. normally stand for in fire classification systems. • Eliminate any option that confuses what the extinguisher is made of with what kind of fire it is suitable for.