Fire Extinguisher

Which extinguisher is used for which class of fire?

Water Extinguishers

Description:
Water fire extinguishers are the most common extinguisher type for class A fire risk. Most premises will require either water or foam extinguishers.

Label Colour: Bright Red

Suitable for:

Paper and cardboard
Fabrics and textiles
Wood and coal
Do not use for:

Fires involving electrical equipment
Kitchen fires
Flammable gas and liquids
How water extinguishers work:
The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished.

Types of premises/business who may need water extinguishers:

– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:

Offices
Schools
Hospitals
Residential properties
Warehouses
suit most buildings.

Foam Extinguishers

Description:
Foam fire extinguishers are most common type of extinguisher for Class B fires, but also work on Class A fires as they are water-based.

Label Colour: Cream

Suitable for:

Paper and cardboard
Fabrics and textiles
Wood and coal
Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Do not use for:

Kitchen fires
Fires involving electrical equipment
Flammable metals

Types of premises/business who may need Foam extinguishers:

– Buildings storing flammable liquids
– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:

Offices
Schools
Hospitals
Residential properties
Warehouses

Dry Powder Extinguishers

Description:
Standard dry powder fire extinguishers are also called ‘ABC’ extinguishers because they tackle class A, B and C fires, however, they are not recommended for use in enclosed spaces. This is because the powder can be easily inhaled, and also the residue is very difficult to clean up after. ABC powder extinguishers can also be used on some electrical fires. Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used for flammable metals.

Label Colour: Blue

Suitable for:

Paper and cardboard
Fabrics and textiles
Wood and coal
Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene
Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v
Specialist dry powder extinguishers are only used on flammable metals, such as titanium and magnesium.

Do not use for:

Fires involving cooking oil
Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v
or in enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties
How dry powder extinguishers work:
Dry powder extinguishers smother fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the source of oxygen.

Types of premises/business who may need Dry Powder extinguishers:

Businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes
Premises where welding and flame cutting takes place
Garage forecourts
Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) dispensing plants
Premises with large, commercial boiler rooms

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers

Description:
CO2 fire extinguishers are predominantly used for electrical fire risks and are usually the main extinguisher type provided in computer server rooms. They also put out Class B fires (flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum).

Label Colour:Black

Suitable for:

Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Electrical fires
Do not use for:

Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires
Combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles
Flammable metals
How CO2 extinguishers work:
CO2 extinguishers suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn.

Types of premises/business who may need CO2 extinguishers:

Offices
Kitchens
Construction sites
Server rooms
All work vehicles should also carry a smaller 2kg CO2 extinguisher.

Wet chemical extinguishers

Description:
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking oils and fats. They can also be used on Class A fires although it is more common to have a foam or water extinguisher for this type of fire risk.

Label Colour: Yellow

Suitable for:

Cooking oil/fat fires
Paper and cardboard
Fabrics and textiles
Wood and coal
Do not use for:

Flammable liquid or gas fires
Electrical fires
Flammable metals
How wet chemical extinguishers work:
Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil or fat, preventing oxygen from fuelling the fire any further. The spray also has a cooling effect.

Types of premises/business who may need wet chemical extinguishers:

Commercial kitchens
Canteens