Types of fire extinguisher.
Five common types, one rule: choose by what could burn. Using the wrong extinguisher can make a fire worse.
Water
Paper, wood, textiles and other ordinary combustibles.
Not for electrical, fat or oil firesFoam
Ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids such as petrol.
Check the label for electrical useCO₂
Electrical equipment and flammable liquids. Leaves no residue.
Little cooling effect. Take care in small roomsDry powder
Ordinary combustibles, liquids and gases. Very versatile.
Reduces visibility. Messy indoorsWet chemical
Cooking oils and fats, as in commercial kitchens.
Specialist. Used for fat firesColour bands show the type of agent in the extinguisher. The bodies themselves are red.
Five agents. Different jobs.
Extinguishers look alike, but what is inside decides what they are safe to use on. The label is the guide, and the colour band confirms it.
Fire classes
Fires are grouped into classes by what is burning, and extinguishers are rated for the classes they can tackle.
- Class A: solid combustibles such as paper, wood and fabric
- Class B: flammable liquids such as petrol and solvents
- Class C: flammable gases
- Class D: metals (specialist extinguishers)
- Class F: cooking oils and fats
- Electrical: there is no class, but the extinguisher must be suitable for use near live equipment
Choosing for your premises
- Office: water or foam for general risks, CO2 near electrical or server equipment
- Shop: water or foam, with CO2 near electrical equipment
- Commercial kitchen: wet chemical for fat fires, with a fire blanket
- Workshop or garage: foam or powder according to the risks, CO2 near electrical
This is a guide, not a specification. The right combination is decided from the fire risks in your premises, which is why a simple visit beats a generic bundle. See fire safety checks.
Using one
Only try if the fire is small, you have a clear escape route behind you and you know what you are doing. Otherwise get everyone out and call 999. Fire and rescue services advise that getting out is always the priority.
Common questions.
What colour is each type of fire extinguisher?
All extinguisher bodies are red. A coloured band or label shows the contents: red for water, cream for foam, black for CO2, blue for dry powder and yellow for wet chemical.
Which extinguisher is for electrical fires?
CO2 is the usual choice, because it leaves no residue and does not conduct. Always check the label, and where possible isolate the power.
Can I use a water extinguisher on a kitchen fire?
No for fat or oil fires, as water can cause the burning oil to spread violently. Use a wet chemical extinguisher or a fire blanket on a small pan fire.
Is a dry powder extinguisher a good all-rounder?
It is versatile, but the powder cloud reduces visibility and is unpleasant to breathe indoors, so it is not always the best choice inside buildings.
Speak to a fire engineer.
Call, message or send the form. We reply the same working day wherever we can.
