Choosing The Type of Fire Extinguisher You Need

Do you need a fire extinguisher but not sure what type of fire extinguisher you need?

We’ve got all the information you need to make the right decision. Let’s start with a little bit about your environment and what might be legally required.

If your premises are used for non-domestic activities you may be legally required to install and maintain at least one fire extinguisher. This can include home-based businesses as well as the traditional workplace.

It is vital that you choose the correct type of fire extinguisher for the fire you are most likely to experience. If you’re unsure of the specific fire risks within your building or premises, you will need to refer to your most recent fire risk assessment. If you don’t have a current, up-to-date fire risk assessment, you will need to get one to ensure you are compliant with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Last year there were just under 160,000 fires attended by the fire and rescue service according to the Home Office, resulting in hundreds of casualties and more than £100 million in property damage. Being prepared will lower your risk.

In this guide, we aim to give you an overview of the different types of fire extinguishers available, their uses, and how to identify them in an emergency situation. Let our years of experience help you to keep your property, people, assets and organisation protected with the right type of fire extinguisher.

There are several different types of fire extinguisher, each one designed to tackle one or more types of fire. Using the wrong kind can be completely ineffective, and even dangerous, so it’s important to understand which extinguisher to use and when.

Types of Fire

To select the correct fire extinguisher for your premises you first need to identify from which class of fire you are at most risk. Fires are differentiated into Classes A, B, C, D, Electrical, and F.

Know your fires: Fire Classification

First, let’s take a look at the different types of fire that you might encounter:

Class A fires, are extremely common and involve solid combustible material. This includes wood, paper and textiles, and occurs in both homes and workplaces. There is paper, wood and textiles in almost everything we use. Consider furniture, day-to-day waste, doors, stationary, and carpets, the list of Class A materials is almost endless. This means you are more than likely to need a fire extinguisher that has an A Class fire rating. Class A fires are combated effectively and cheaply by the use of either water or foam fire extinguishers.

Class B fires are outbreaks involving flammable liquids. These include fuels such as petrol and diesel, but also paints, oils and alcohol. Class B fire risks are commonly found in workshops, garages and repair premises where oils, paints and highly flammable liquids are used frequently. However, a Class B fire could be a risk in more unusual places like boats or caravan parks where fuel is kept in containers on site somewhere.

For Class B fires a foam fire extinguisher is recommended but any extinguisher with a Class B fire rating may be suitable.

Class C fires are caused by flammable or combustible gases. These gases include methane, propane, or natural gas. These fire risks are commonly found in kitchens, boatyards, caravan parks, garages, petrol stations and filling stations, body shops, and workshops.

If you think you have a Class C fire risk, you should refer to your Fire Risk Assessment as to which type of extinguisher is most suitable for your specific circumstances. Your Fire Risk Assessment will also advise that the appropriate training is provided for the extinguisher recommended to ensure safe use.

Class D fires are mostly encountered in industrial settings and they refer specifically to fires resulting from flammable metals like magnesium. Typical Class D risk environments include foundries, chemical plants, specialist workshops and manufacturing sites where metal is processed.

Class D fires are put out by specialist dry powder extinguishers that can be identified by a purple band on the extinguisher and a lance with a cup at the end. Do not get these Class D powder extinguishers confused with standard dry powder fire extinguishers which are far more common and can be identified by a blue band at the top and no lance.

Electrical fires are fires involving electrical equipment or appliances. These can occur at home, in the office, or anywhere that electrical equipment is in use. This is a very common fire risk so it is typical to see a fire extinguisher that has an Electrical Class rating such as a CO2 fire extinguisher. Due to the risk of electric shock, and further equipment damage, water extinguishers are not recommended for electrical fires.

Electrical fire class does not include Lithium-ion battery fires which are a separate hazard and require a different type of extinguisher.

Class F fires typically occur in professional kitchens or other spaces where oils are being heated to high temperatures, like in a deep-fat fryer. This can include food trucks, mobile kitchens, school canteens, event locations, and anywhere where there is hot oil.

Due to the exceptionally high temperatures involved in these fires, a wet chemical extinguisher is recommended. There are several wet chemical extinguishers on the market that are suitable for Class A, B and F fires making them great all-rounders in the home, or in a workplace with on-site food preparation facilities.

Fire Extinguisher Types

Types of Fire Extinguishers And There Uses

We have created a handy guide to help you work out which fire extinguisher you need for each of the fire risks you may have in your building or premises.