Which statement correctly identifies how fuels are categorized?

Fuels are typically categorized based on their physical state, which refers to whether they are solid, liquid, or gas. This categorization is important because the physical state of a fuel significantly influences its combustion characteristics, handling, storage, and the methods required for ignition and suppression.

For example, solids like coal may require different storage and combustion techniques compared to liquids like gasoline or gases like natural gas. Each physical state has unique properties, such as volatility and flammability, affecting how they behave in fire scenarios and during fire prevention efforts.

While other categorization methods may include sources of origin or chemical structures, these do not directly relate to the immediate behaviors and risks associated with the fuels in practical scenarios, making physical state a more relevant and critical classification in fire hazard assessments. Temperature range may also play a role in understanding the behavior of fuels but is less foundational than physical state when categorizing fuels for safety assessments and fire hazard evaluations.