What is a delta class fire?

Answer 1

Delta Class fires are combustible metal fires, such as fires resulting from metals like magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, or titanium igniting. They usually occur on Naval craft, which have pyrotechnic smoke or flares that often contain phosphorus and magnesium. Delta Class fires on land are rare and are usually not handled by civilian fire fighters. In addition, most of the pyrotechnics have their own oxidizers and so do not require oxygen to remain burning, making them difficult to put out. Putting them out with water is a very bad idea as the water will react with the burning metal and create hydrogen gas, which will either burn or explode, however the area around the metal should be cooled with water to keep nearby combustibles from igniting. These fires can burn at up to 4500 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be looked at directly as they could damage your eyesight. Interestingly, the disaster as Chernobyl may have been caused by a Delta Class fire, though we will never know for sure.