Fire extinguishers come in various types, each suited to different uses. Therefore, it’s essential to understand which extinguishers your property needs in the case of an emergency. This page has been developed to help you familiarise yourself with the different types of fire extinguishers and what kinds of fire they are used for.
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Fire extinguishers are a life-saving tool that can help stop a fire before it gets out of control. From 2020 to 2021, the UK Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) were called to put out 149,779 fires. Unfortunately, that same year, 249 people died in fire-related incidents. This is why it is essential to ensure you have the correct fire extinguishers.
There are six main types of fire extinguishers. Each type of extinguisher is suited to a specific fire.
 | Fires burning organic solids |
 | Fires burning flammable liquids |
 | Fires burning flammable gases |
 | Fires burning metals |
 | Fires burning fats and grease |
 | Electrical fires (electrical fires fall into any category) |
Fire extinguishers are colour-coded. The fire extinguisher colour codes indicate what substance the extinguisher uses to put out a fire. Different substances extinguish different categories of fire most successfully.
The official fire codes utilise five colours. Some extinguisher manufacturers incorporate additional colours to convey additional information. The fire extinguisher colour bands are:
Red – water
Red and white band – de-ionised water mist extinguishers
Black – CO² extinguishers
Cream – AFFF foam
Yellow – wet chemical
Blue – dry powder extinguishers/specialist powder
If you see a fire extinguisher with a green band, don’t use it. Green banded fire extinguishers spray Halon. This chemical is illegal in the UK.
A fire extinguisher’s colour band is a wide label at the top of the extinguisher canister. Often, the band also incorporates a written label.
Some manufacturers add numerical ratings to their fire extinguishers. These combine with the extinguisher’s letter classification to tell you about the device’s contents.
So, a “21A” label on a fire extinguisher indicates it can extinguish up to 21kg of flammable organic solids. The number on a red-band fire extinguisher typically indicates units of 1¼ gallon of water.
Fire safety researchers grade Class B fires with circular metal trays tests. The British Standards Institute (BSI) numerically rates a fire extinguisher with Class B verification by how much flammable liquid it can extinguish.
The higher the number, the more the extinguisher can handle.
Red-band fire extinguishers use compressed water to extinguish a fire. To use a red-band fire extinguisher, spray a jetstream of water at the base of the fire.
Red-band fire extinguishers are the most common type in hospitals and schools.
Extinguishes Class A Fires
Red-band fire extinguishers can put out organic solids that have caught fire. Examples of organic solids include:
Red-label fire extinguishers are NOT appropriate for oil, electrical, or kitchen fires. 13A is the most common red-band fire extinguisher size. 21A options are also widely available.
De-Ionised Water Mist fire extinguishers also use water to put out fires. But, these extinguishers shoot out water in jets of mist.
De-ionized water mist does not settle into liquid pools. Thus, these extinguishers can safely put out certain fires involving electrical equipment.
Extinguishes Class A, B, C, and Electrical Fires
The de-ionization process prevents the mist from conducting electrical energy in a hazardous way.
You can safely put out organic solids, burning oils, and burning gases with these extinguishers. Examples of flammable oils and gasses include:
Carbon Dioxide or Black-label extinguishers put out fires by depriving them of oxygen. This makes them well-suited to extinguishing burning flammable liquids.
These extinguishers cannot safely put out other fuel sources.
Extinguishes Class B, Electrical Fires
Businesses often keep black-band fire extinguishers in garages or laboratories. CO² is not an electrical conductor. This makes it safe to use against electrical fires.
CO² is non-toxic, and it doesn’t leave behind any solid residue.
Cream-label fire extinguishers utilise Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF). These fire-suppressant foams quickly expand to cover a fuel source completely.
Most foams are hydrocarbon-based substances. Therefore, they may include compounds of water and sodium alkyl sulfate.
The film acts as a cover, which cuts off the fuel’s oxygen. It’s much like covering burning oil in a saucepan with a lid.
Extinguishes Class A, B Fires
AFFF foam will safely extinguish burning organic solids or flammable liquids.
Wet chemical extinguishers are typically lightweight. You can precisely target these extinguishers at a fire’s source.
Many professional kitchens have a yellow-label fire extinguisher on hand.
Extinguishes Class A, F Fires
Yellow-label fire extinguishers work and put out fires involving cooking oils. Engineers specifically develop chemical compositions that extinguish burning oils and fats.
Blue-label fire extinguishers are multi-use. These extinguishers utilise dry power to smother the fire’s source, depriving it of oxygen.
Extinguishes A, B, C, D*, Electrical Fires
The dry powder does not conduct electricity, so it’s safe to use against electrical fires. Use one of these extinguishers against class A, B, or C fires.
Blue-label extinguishers can put out some burning metals. However, different dry powder compositions can suppress varying metals effectively. For example, sodium chloride can readily extinguish burning alkali metals and aluminium.
Read the extinguisher’s label to discern precisely which metal-fueled fires it can extinguish.
At ClearView, we’ve mastered fire safety. No matter what types of fire extinguishers you need, our systems and services help you to keep your property and people safe.
We regularly review and update our content to ensure we provide visitors with thorough and accurate information. This webpage was updated on 25th April 2022.
Fire extinguisher servicing should be carried out at least annually in accordance with the British Standard for the maintenance of portable fire extinguishers BS 5306-3: 2017.
ClearView Communications supply, install and commission fire extinguishers under BS5306:3 2017. Our engineers will provide a commissioning certificate and asset register essential for recording future test dates.
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