Fire Extinguishers

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Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers

Usually fires any larger than the size of a waste paper bin should not be attempted to be extinguished but if smaller it might be benficial to use the extinguisher. However, you should only consider using a fire extinguisher if:

All members of your business have been alerted to the fire
The fire department has been called.
The room is not full of smoke
You have the right type of extinguisher for the type of fire (see below)

Different types of fire extinguisher – a detailed guide

Extinguisher type	Label Colour	Use for	Do not use for	How it works	Type of building that may need them	Where they should be located
Water	Bright Red	paper and cardboard fabric and textiles wood and coal	fires involving electrical equipment kitchen fires flammable gas and liquids	The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished	wooden buildings any premises that contain organic materials such as paper e.g. offices, schools, hospitals, residential properties, warehouses	By exits on floors where there is a risk of fire from materials such as wood and paper (Class A fire risk)
Foam	Cream	paper and cardboard fabric and textiles wood and coal flammable liquids e.g. paint or petrol	fires involving electrical equipment kitchen fires flammable metals	The foam has a cooling effect on the fuel. On burning liquids, the foam creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire	wooden buildings any premises that contain organic materials such as paper e.g. offices, schools, hospitals, residential properties, warehouses buildings where flammable liquids are stored	By exits on floors where there is a risk of fire from materials such as wood and paper (Class A fire risk) or flammable liquids (Class B fire risk)
Dry Powder (sometimes called ABC extinguishers)	Blue	paper and cardboard fabric and textiles wood and coal flammable liquids e.g. paint and petrol flammable gases e.g. liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000V	fires involving cooking oil fires involving electrical equipment over 1000V in enclosed spaces e.g. offices, residential properties	The dry powder forms a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen source which smothers the fire	businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes premises where welding and flame cutting takes place garage forecourts LPG dispensing plants premises with large commercial boiler rooms	Near the source of the fire risk
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)	Black	flammable liquids e.g. paint and petrol electrical fires	kitchen fires, especially chip-pan combustible materials e.g. paper, wood or textiles flammable metals	The carbon dioxide displaces the oxygen the fire needs to burn which suffocates the fire	premises with electrical equipment e.g. offices, kitchens, construction sites, server rooms	Near the source of the fire risk and/or near fire exits
Wet chemical	Yellow	cooking oil/fat fires paper and cardboard fabric and textiles wood and coal	flammable liquid or gas fires electrical fires flammable metals	A layer of foam is created on the surface of the burning oil or fat, preventing oxygen reaching the fire. The spray also has a cooling effect	commercial kitchens canteens	Near the source of the fire risk

Fire Safety

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Fire Safety

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