The 5 Types And Colours Of Fire Extinguishers And Their Uses

When you think about fighting fires, you might picture a fire extinguisher. 🧯. After all, it's what people use to put out a fire.

Fire extinguishers are often seen in workplaces and public buildings, situated on fire escapes and entrance doors. They are located in places where they should be visible, and easily accessible.

So it's no mistake if a fire extinguisher caught your attention!

You sometimes see two or more fire extinguishers together, and there's a reason for this. All fire extinguishers are red. They look fairly similar to each other.

But, look closer.

Have you ever noticed the different colour labels on the extinguishers? Or even different-shaped nozzles?

There are different types of fire extinguishers, and you probably have a few different types in your workplace.

• Water
• Foam
• Powder
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Wet Chemical

Keep a record of the fire extinguishers in your workplace with the fire extinguisher register template.

So why do we have different types of fire extinguishers?

It's because there are different classes of fire. The class of a fire usually depends on what is burning. Some fires might involve cooking fats, others might involve fuels or gases, and others might be burning solids like fabrics or paper. And because all of these fires burn in different ways, they need different types of extinguishers to control and put them out.

Fire extinguishers should tell you what type they are, and even what class of fire you can use them on. But in an emergency, will you have time to check the label and read the small print?

Probably not.

So knowing fire extinguisher types is important. In an emergency, you can quickly find the one you need, and avoid doing more harm than good.

• 🧯 Water
  For fire type A

• 🧯 Foam
  For fire types A, B

• 🧯 Powder
  For fire types A*, B, C, D, E

• 🧯 CO2
  For fire types B*, E

• 🧯 Wet Chemical
  For fire types A*, F

*limited suitability

Find out more about the different classes of fire in the 6 types and classes of fire.

You shouldn't just grab any fire extinguisher and use it on any type of fire. You could put yourself and others in danger if you use the wrong kind of fire extinguisher. For example, some types of fire extinguishers could kill you if used in a confined space (carbon dioxide), or used on an electrical fire (water). So you need to pick the right one in an emergency.

Now we know why it is important to know about the different types and colours of fire extinguishers, let's find out about the most common types you are likely to come across.

Use the fire extinguisher inspection checklist to carry out a visual inspection of fire extinguishers for your business.

1. Water (White)

Water is usually the first thing you think of for putting out fires. And water fire extinguishers are probably the most common kind of fire extinguisher there is. This fire extinguisher is red with white writing and label. It mostly works by cooling the fire to extinguish it.

This type of fire extinguisher is simple to use. However, water fire extinguishers are only suitable for class A fires, which are fires involving solids. Like burning wood, paper, plastics etc.

• 🪵 Class A (Solids)

⚠️ Never use this type of fire extinguisher on or near electrical equipment.

Water Mist

A recent development in the types of fire extinguishers is water mist. Also red with white labelling, this type of fire extinguisher looks similar to water extinguishers but has some different uses.

In addition to class A, because the fine mist doesn't conduct electricity, de-ionised water mist extinguishers can also be used on electrical (E) fires! Water mist extinguishers can also assist with extinguishing class B (liquid), C (gas fires), and class F (cooking fats and oils) fires.

• 🪵 Class A (Solids)
• 🛢️ Class B (Liquids)
• 💨 Class C (Gases)
• 🔌 Electrical Fires
• 🍟 Class F (Cooking Fats & Oils)

2. Foam (Cream)

Foam fire extinguishers are red with a cream label. Foam extinguishers primarily work by smothering fires and starving the fire of the oxygen it needs to burn.

Like water extinguishers, they can be used on class A fires. Foam extinguishers can also be used on class B fires. These are fires involving liquids, like petrol and paints.

• 🪵 Class A (Solids)
• 🛢️ Class B (Liquids)

⚠️ Foam extinguishers also contain water and must not be used on or near electrical equipment.

3. Powder (Blue)

Dry powder fire extinguishers are red with a blue label. Like foam, the non-combustible powder smothers the fire. Unlike foam extinguishers, this type of extinguisher doesn't contain water so can be used on live electrical equipment.

Powder extinguishers can be used on class B (liquid), class C (gases), class D (metals), and electric (E) fires. They also have some limited* use on class A fires.

• 🪵 Class A (Solids)*
• 🛢️ Class B (Liquids)
• 💨 Class C (Gases)
• ⛓️ Class D (Metals)
• 🔌 Electrical Fires

While a useful multi-purpose extinguisher, power does have some downsides. Powder extinguishers are very messy when used. The use of this extinguisher can fill the air with powder causing visibility issues, and inhalation of powder. And, while it can be used on electrical equipment, power will enter equipment and can cause damage.

4. Carbon Dioxide (Black)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are red with a black label. You may also notice the nozzle on this type of extinguisher is a large cone shape. The carbon dioxide in this type of extinguisher replaces the oxygen in the air surrounding the fire, preventing combustion.

⚠️ Never use this type of fire extinguisher in a confined space as it will starve you of oxygen.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are best used for electric (E) fires. They don't contain water and won't damage surrounding equipment like powder extinguishers. They can also be used on small class B (liquid) fires, but cooling effects on the liquid are limited and the fire may re-ignite after it has been extinguished.

• 🛢️ Class B (Liquids)
• 🔌 Electrical Fires

⚠️ Don't hold the nozzle, the cooling during the discharge of gas can freeze your skin.

5. Wet Chemical (Yellow)

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are red with a yellow label. It works by making chemical changes to burning oils, making them non-combustible.

This type of fire extinguisher was specifically designed to be used on cooking oils and fats. It's the main extinguisher used for class F (cooking fats and oils) fires.

• 🍟 Class F (Cooking Fats & Oils)

You should find wet chemical extinguishers and their yellow labels in kitchens with deep-fat fryers. It's not much use on other types of fires, although some manufacturer's versions are suitable for class A fires.

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People who are expected to use fire extinguishers need to receive instruction and training on the selection and use of the equipment provided. Only tackle a fire if you know what to do, and it is safe to do so. Fire extinguishers should be regularly checked and inspected annually.

Download the free fire extinguishers toolbox talk as a reminder for you and your team.