What is the smoke color associated with a Class Charlie fire?

A Class Charlie fire involves flammable gases or electrical equipment. The smoke color typically associated with these types of fires is often a blue or white hue. When electrical fires occur, the burning of insulation and other materials can produce a bluish-white smoke, indicating the presence of electrical components involved in the combustion. Understanding the characteristics of smoke color is crucial for fire identification and appropriate firefighting response, which is particularly important in marine environments where Class Charlie fires can arise from electrical systems aboard vessels.

The other smoke colors mentioned correspond to different types of fire classes. Black or brown smoke is characteristic of Class Bravo fires, which involve flammable liquids, while white or grey smoke usually indicates the burning of organic materials, denoting a Class Alpha fire. Yellow smoke is less commonly categorized and does not specifically align with any of the established fire classes. Hence, recognizing blue or white smoke as the indicator of a Class Charlie fire is essential for effective emergency response.