Which of the following fire suppression systems utilizes a chemical process to extinguish fires?

Dry chemical systems are designed to extinguish fires through a chemical process that interrupts the combustion reaction. This type of system typically uses materials such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, or monoammonium phosphate, which are effective against a range of fire classes.

When a fire occurs, the dry chemical agents are dispersed as a fine powder, which coats the fuel surface and prevents the fire from receiving the oxygen it needs to sustain combustion. This interruption of the chemical reaction allows the fire to be quickly extinguished and is particularly effective in situations involving flammable liquids and gases.

In contrast, water mist systems utilize finely atomized water to absorb heat and reduce the oxygen available to the fire, while foam systems produce a blanket of foam to smother the fire and prevent vapors from escaping. Sprinkler systems primarily work by spraying water directly onto the flames to cool and extinguish the fire. Each of these systems has its own specific mechanisms for fire suppression, but only dry chemical systems utilize a distinct chemical process as their primary method of extinguishment.