Types of fire extinguishers & their uses (2024)

The different classes of fire extinguisher rating are listed below together with the some of the most suitable types of fire extinguisher for use on each class of fire:

Class A- Suitable for paper, wood & textiles.
Type of fire extinguisher-Water, Foam, Dry Powder, Wet Chemical

Class B- Suitable for flammable liquids.
Type of fire extinguisher-Foam, Dry Powder, Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Class C- Suitable for flammable gasses.
Type of fire extinguisher -Dry Powder

Class F- Suitable for cooking oil and fat.
Type of fire extinguisher -Wet Chemical

Electrical Risk- Suitable for electrical equipment.
Type of fire extinguisher - Dry Powder,Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Fire Extinguisher Colour Coding or Colour Bands

Current fire extinguishers in the UK are subject to strict standards and that includes their colour coding or colour bands.

Fire extinguishers that meet the BS EN3 standard are manufactured with a red body and have a zone band of a second colour, covering up to 10% of the surface, that indicate the extinguisher’s contents. Each type of fire extinguisher has aparticular zone ofcolour making it easier for the user to identify the contents of the fire extinguisher.

Older fire extinguishers that pre-dated the current standard are still found. These extinguishers were in colours other than the now predominantly red colour required to conform to BS EN3 and may still be legal. However, if they need to be replaced because they are unserviceable ordamaged, the new extinguisher needs to comply with the new requirements ifit isto meet the BS EN3 standard.

Typical colour zones of current fire extinguishers in the UK and the key features of each are: