What is the minimum extinguishing capability rating for fire extinguishers needed for general hot work?

The minimum extinguishing capability rating for fire extinguishers needed for general hot work is 2-A:20-B:C. This rating indicates that the extinguisher can effectively combat fires involving ordinary combustibles (like wood and paper), flammable liquids (such as oils and gasoline), and electrical equipment.

In this context, the numbers preceding the letters represent the effectiveness against different classes of fires. The value before A denotes the effectiveness against Class A fires, while the value before B indicates the effectiveness against Class B fires. Class C is indicated by the letter alone, as it pertains to fires involving electrical equipment.

Having a minimum rating of 2-A:20-B:C ensures that the fire extinguisher can handle a variety of situations commonly encountered during hot work operations, where sparks and other ignition sources may be present and could lead to the ignition of combustible materials or flammable liquids. This rating is essential for maintaining safety standards in environments where hot work is performed.

Therefore, this specific rating of 2-A:20-B:C meets the required safety criteria for general hot work involving welding, cutting, and similar activities.