Fire Extinguishers
Extinguishers are an important part of your fire protection plan
Fire Extinguishers are your first line of attack when fighting a fire, and you need to make sure yours are ready and contain the right agent. When used properly, the right type of fire extinguishers save lives and property by putting out a small fire before it takes hold.
You need the right extinguisher: not all fires are the same
Do you have the most effective fire extinguisher for your circumstances?
Various materials in your work environment can create different fires and require specific types of fire extinguishing agents.
We will work with you to identify the various fire risks in your environment and advise you on the safest and most effective types of extinguisher to provide cover from those risks.
We offer a FREE fire protection site survey of your work environment.
A wrong extinguisher type poses a risk to your staff and property
While some types of extinguisher can be used on more than one class of fire, others may be ineffective or even dangerous for the operator to use on certain fires. There is no single type of fire extinguisher which is both effective and safe to use on all fires.
We offer fire safety training for Fire Wardens or anyone who would like to know more about how and when to use Fire Extinguishers.
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher ( pdf 148kb)
Contact us to discuss the best fire extinguishers for your circumstances.
Want to know more about matching fires to extinguishers?
Firstly it’s good to understand which type of fuel you’re dealing with, we generally classify them like this:
So which type of fire extinguisher is best at putting out these classes of fuel? Other than water, there are four basic extinguishing agents:
- Dry powder
- CO2
- Wet chemical
- Foam spray
Dry Chemical Powder (ABE Type)
ABE Dry Powder extinguishers are identified by a white coloured band on the cylinder. They are suitable for use on the following classes of fire:
Class A – paper, textiles, wood, most plastics & rubber
Class B – flammable liquids
Class C– combustible gases
Class E fires – electrically energised equipment
- ABE Dry Powder fire extinguishers are considered a general purpose fire extinguisher and are the most widely used type
- They provide rapid fire knock-down and work by interrupting the chain reaction of the combustion process
- Available in a full range of sizes to suit all types of application
- Sizes from 1.5kg upwards come fitted with a discharge hose
- Available with standard brackets for attaching to walls or a range of specialised brackets suitable for vehicles, motor racing, marine use, or heavy machinery
Dry Chemical Powder (BE Type)
Dry Powder BE extinguishers are also identified by a white coloured band on the cylinder. They are suitable for use on the following classes of fire:
Class B – flammable liquids
Class E fires – electrically energised equipment
- Much less common than ABE extinguishers.
- Mostly used in industrial/commercial situations where flammable liquids are being handled
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon Dioxide extinguishers are identified by a black coloured band on the cylinder. They are suitable for use on the following classes of fire:
Class B – flammable liquids e.g. petrol, oil, paints
Class E fires – electrically energised equipment
- Carbon Dioxide extinguishers work by displacing oxygen which suffocates the fire
- They are ideally suited to offices and workplaces where there are electronic devices such as computers or faxes, and switchboards
- Not suitable for outdoor use as the gas dissipates too quickly
- Not generally intended for use on class A fires but are suitable for fires involving electrically energised equipment such as computers or switchboards that include some class A fuels
- As CO2 is a naturally occurring gas there is no clean up required after use
- Available in sizes 2kg, 3.5kg & 5kg
Wet Chemical
Wet Chemical extinguishers are identified by an oatmeal coloured band on the cylinder. They are suitable for use on the following classes of fire:
Class A – paper, textiles, wood, most plastics & rubber
Class F fires – cooking fats and oils
- Wet Chemical extinguishers are specifically designed for use on class F fires i.e. Cooking fats and oils.
- Ideal for commercial kitchens and fast food outlets where there is a risk of fat fires in deep fryers
- Wet Chemical fire extinguishers contain an alkali salt solution. When this comes into contact with a fat or oil fire it creates a soap like substance which seals the surface to exclude oxygen and prevent re-ignition of the fire
- Wet Chemical fire extinguishers must not be used on fires involving electrically energised equipment
Foam Spray Extinguishers – Also called AFFF
Foam Spray extinguishers are identified by a blue coloured band on the cylinder. They are suitable for use on the following classes of fire:
Class A – paper, textiles, wood, most plastics & rubber
Class B – flammable liquids eg. Petrol, oil, paints
- Foam Spray extinguishers work by coating the fire with a blanket of foam which cuts off the oxygen supply and also prevents the release of flammable vapours
- May also be used over spills of flammable liquids to suppress vapours thereby reducing the fire risk
- Foam Spray extinguishers must not be used on Class E fires ie.Electrically energised equipment
Water Extinguishers
Water Extinguishers have no colour band. They are only suitable for use on the following class of fire:
Class A – paper, textiles, wood, most plastics & rubber
- Water extinguishers work by cooling the fire
- They contain only water which is charged with compressed nitrogen
- They must never be used on fires involving electrically energised equipment or on cooking oil/fat fires