Fire Extinguisher
In the event of a fire, using the correct extinguisher to put it out is as important as discovering the fire itself. All modern fire extinguishers are clearly marked as to the type of fire they should be used on, so you can tackle small fires safely and easily.
All fire extinguishers are colour coded for easy recognition in an emergency. They also have ratings as to which class of fire they can be effective in extinguishing, so you can double-check that you have the right fire extinguisher for the job.
In addition all fire extinguishers should bear quality standard marks such as the Kitemark.
Do different Fires require different fire extinguishers?
YES. For example, a water-based extinguisher is ideal for use on free-burning materials such as paper or wood, known as a Class 1 fire.
Here are some of the different types of extinguishers:
Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers
These are excellent all-round fire extinguishers. Powder fire extinguishers are painted red with a blue panel.
Water Fire Extinguishers
These are filled with ordinary tap water. They are ideal for use on fires involving everyday materials such as paper, wood, fabric, furnishings, etc. Water fire extinguishers are solid red in colour.
Foam Fire Extinguishers
Aqueous film forming foam fire extinguishers (AFFF) are usually the best choice for using at home due to their all-round abilities. Foam fire extinguishers are red with a cream panel above the operating instructions.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguishers
Carbon dioxide or CO2 fire extinguishers are the only ones recommended for fires involving electrical equipment. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are painted bright red with a black panel above the operating instructions, with a distinctive horn-shaped nozzle at the side or hose and horn on larger sizes
Metal Fire Fire Extinguishers
A variety of specialist fire extinguishers are required to tackle Class D flammable metal fires. All flammable metal fire specialist fire extinguishers are categorised as a powder extinguisher, so UK ones are painted red with a blue panel above the operating instructions.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers
These were developed specifically for use on deep fat cooking fires. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are red with a yellow panel above the operating instructions.
Tips for the safe use of any type of extinguisher:
- make sure you read the instructions and are familiar with how to use it
- they are best placed in the hall and taken where needed
- only buy one you can carry easily
- don't put it near a heater or fire, but do fix it to the wall, so that it is out of the reach of children, but easily accessible by others
- get it serviced once a year (or as often as the manufacturer recommends)
- when using the extinguisher on a fire, keep yourself on the escape route side of the blaze
If you're not sure which extinguisher to get for your home, you can contact your local Fire and Rescue Service for advice.
