Which extinguisher would fulfill a B-II requirement?

• A. 15 Pound Carbon Dioxide
• B. 2 Pound Dry Chemical
• C. 5 Pound Water
• D. 10 Pound Foam

Answer: (A)

B-II refers to a Class B fire extinguisher rating that measures how large of a flammable-liquid fire it can handle. The II indicates a larger capacity than I, so a B-II extinguisher must have enough extinguishing power for a bigger flammable-liquid flare-up.

The 15-pound carbon dioxide extinguisher is the best fit because CO2 units of that size provide a substantial B-rated capacity, which aligns with the B-II requirement. CO2 extinguishers are effective on hydrocarbon fires and are commonly chosen for enclosed spaces on boats, where a larger unit can tackle a more significant B-type fire without leaving residue that could affect equipment.

The smaller 2-pound dry chemical is typically rated for a much smaller B-class fire (if rated at all for B), so it wouldn’t meet the B-II size. The 5-pound water extinguisher is designed for Class A fires (ordinary combustibles) and is not appropriate for flammable-liquid fires. The 10-pound foam extinguisher can handle B-class fires, but its rating may not reach the B-II threshold as reliably as the larger CO2 unit.