Red / no contrasting colour band
Water fire extinguishers
Cools burning solid material. Common in many low-risk workplaces.
Read the water guideUK comparison and selection guide
Types of fire extinguishers, colours and uses
Compare water, water mist, foam, CO₂, dry powder and wet chemical extinguishers. See the fire classes each may cover, their important limitations and how premises-specific selection works.
Six common extinguisher types
Quick comparison
Use this table to understand the broad differences, then open the individual guide and check the exact markings on any extinguisher. Product ratings and instructions take precedence over a generic colour chart.
| Type | Identification | Commonly covers | Important limitation | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Red / no contrasting colour band | Normally Class A — check the rating marked on the unit | Live electrical equipment; flammable liquids or gases | Read guide |
| Water mist | Check the label — water-mist identification varies by product | Product-specific; use only on classes and electrical risks stated on the unit | Any unmarked fire class; deep-fat fryers unless the exact unit carries a suitable class f rating | Read guide |
| Foam | Cream identification band on a red body | Normally Class A and Class B — check the unit | Deep-fat fryers and cooking oils; flammable gases | Read guide |
| CO₂ | Black identification band on a red body | Normally Class B and use around electrical equipment — check the unit | Deep-seated Class A fires as the sole agent; cooking oils and deep-fat fryers | Read guide |
| Dry powder | Blue identification band on a red body | ABC powder commonly covers Classes A, B and C; Class D needs specialist powder | General indoor offices, care settings or public areas where visibility and inhalation are concerns; commercial cooking oils and deep-fat fryers | Read guide |
| Wet chemical | Yellow identification band on a red body | Class F, often with an additional Class A rating — check the unit | Flammable liquids outside the marked ratings; flammable gases | Read guide |
Individual type guides
Understand each agent before choosing
Each guide covers identification, suitable and unsuitable fires, how the agent works, premises examples, selection points, servicing and authoritative sources.
Check the label — water-mist identification varies by product
Water mist fire extinguishers
Fine droplets absorb heat efficiently. Can reduce water damage compared with a jet.
Read the water mist guideCream identification band on a red body
Foam fire extinguishers
Often rated for solid and liquid fires. Forms a blanket over suitable liquid fuel.
Read the foam guideBlack identification band on a red body
CO₂ fire extinguishers
Non-conductive and leaves no residue. Common near electrical equipment.
Read the co₂ guideBlue identification band on a red body
Dry powder fire extinguishers
Rapid flame knockdown. Standard ABC units cover several classes.
Read the dry powder guideYellow identification band on a red body
Wet chemical fire extinguishers
Designed for cooking oils and fats. Cools and forms a sealing layer.
Read the wet chemical guideEquipment reference library
Answer the questions around selection and provision
Use the focused guides to decode fire classes and colours, estimate provision, understand fire blankets and approach emerging lithium-ion battery risks without relying on a generic product list.
Fire blankets: selection, positioning and safe use
Understand what fire blankets are designed for, BS EN 1869 marking, kitchen positioning, inspection, replacement and their important limitations.
Read the referenceFire extinguisher classes explained
Compare UK fire classes A, B, C, D and F, understand the emerging Class L for lithium-ion batteries, and avoid treating electrical equipment as a fire class.
Read the referenceFire extinguisher colour codes explained
Identify modern UK extinguisher colour bands for water, foam, powder, CO2 and wet chemical equipment, with cautions about old units and product labels.
Read the referenceHow many fire extinguishers does a premises need?
Understand how UK extinguisher quantities are determined using floor area, fire ratings, storeys, travel distance, layout and special hazards.
Read the referenceLithium-ion battery fires and extinguishers
Understand lithium-ion thermal runaway, Class L, prevention, detection, isolation and why portable extinguishers cannot replace a premises-specific battery fire strategy.
Read the referenceFire extinguisher effectiveness statistics
Review common fire-extinguisher effectiveness claims, understand the limits of survey evidence and see what official England incident statistics do and do not record.
Read the referenceHow fire extinguishers work
Learn how water, foam, CO₂, powder, wet chemical and water-mist extinguishers affect fire, and why the correct agent and rating matter.
Read the referenceHow to use a fire extinguisher safely
Understand when not to use an extinguisher, the checks required before discharge and why training, the product label and a safe escape route take priority.
Read the referenceFire extinguisher disposal and replacement
Learn why extinguishers should not enter ordinary waste, how competent collection works and what records to keep when equipment is replaced.
Read the referenceBuying fire extinguishers and fire alarms
A practical UK purchasing guide covering risk assessment, standards, ratings, alarm categories, commissioning, installation and maintenance quotations.
Read the referenceFire extinguisher effectiveness statistics explained
Compare official England extinguisher-use data with the UK industry effectiveness survey, including selection bias, scope and safe interpretation.
Read the referenceUK fire classifications
Match the extinguisher to what is burning
Fire classes describe the fuel. They help determine which agent can be used safely and effectively, but the certified rating on the individual extinguisher still matters.
Solid materials
Wood, paper, textiles and many ordinary combustible materials.
Flammable liquids
Petrol, solvents, paints and other qualifying flammable liquids.
Flammable gases
Propane, butane and other flammable gases; safe fuel isolation is critical.
Combustible metals
Specialist metal risks requiring an agent selected for the exact metal.
Cooking oils and fats
High-temperature cooking media, especially commercial deep-fat fryers.
Selection by premises
Typical starting points—not ready-made specifications
The correct answer changes with the building and activity. These examples show why risk-based selection is more useful than buying one “general-purpose” type.
Office or shop
Often Class A provision for paper, furnishings and stock, with separately selected equipment for electrical risks. Kitchens, workshops or unusual stock can change the answer.
Commercial kitchen
Class F wet chemical protection may be required for fryers, alongside suitable provision for ordinary combustibles and electrical equipment.
Warehouse or workshop
Stock, processes, liquids, gases, batteries, machinery and storage height must be assessed; one generic extinguisher rarely covers every hazard well.
Construction or external area
Powder may be considered for certain outdoor fuel, gas or plant risks, while visibility, re-ignition, weather and contamination remain important.
Server or electrical room
CO₂ is commonly selected because it leaves no residue, but it has limited cooling and room-volume or asphyxiation considerations.
Care, education or public premises
User capability, evacuation priority, misuse, residue and visibility may matter as much as nominal fire-class coverage.
Six-step selection check
How the right provision is determined
The fire risk assessment connects the equipment to hazards, people, escape and management. A supplier quotation should make the selected ratings and assumptions clear.
- 1
Identify the hazards
Record fuels, processes, electrical equipment, cooking, gases, metals and areas where fire could develop.
- 2
Match the fire classes
Select agents with certified ratings for the actual materials; electrical equipment is a hazard rather than a separate class.
- 3
Calculate the provision
Consider fire rating, floor area, special hazards, travel distance and whether more than one extinguisher type is needed.
- 4
Consider the people
Weight, discharge, visibility, training, disability, public access and the evacuation strategy influence suitability.
- 5
Position and identify
Equipment should be accessible, conspicuous, correctly signed, protected from damage and located without drawing users into danger.
- 6
Maintain and review
Record checks and servicing, act on defects and revisit selection after layout, occupancy, process or equipment changes.
Before anyone uses an extinguisher
Escape, raise the alarm and call 999
Portable equipment is primarily there to support safe escape. Only a person who has been instructed or trained should consider tackling a small fire, using the correct extinguisher, with smoke conditions tolerable and a clear route out behind them. Never take personal risk or delay evacuation.
Selection, supply and maintenance
Need help with extinguisher provision?
A competent provider can review the fire risk assessment, confirm ratings and locations, commission equipment, maintain records and identify obsolete, damaged or unsuitable units. BAFE SP101 certification is one form of third-party evidence relevant to extinguisher organisations.
Frequently asked questions
Fire extinguisher type FAQs
What are the six main types of fire extinguisher in the UK?
The commonly encountered portable types are water, water mist, foam, carbon dioxide (CO₂), dry powder and wet chemical. Specialist agents also exist, including powders selected for particular Class D metal fires.
What do fire extinguisher colours mean?
Modern UK extinguishers generally have red bodies with an identification band: cream for foam, blue for powder, black for CO₂ and yellow for wet chemical. Conventional water normally has no contrasting band. Water-mist marking can vary, so always read the label and rating.
Which fire extinguisher is best for general use?
There is no universally best type. The correct combination depends on the premises hazards, fire classes, certified ratings, users, escape arrangements and likely consequences of discharge. Selection should follow the fire risk assessment.
Is electrical fire a fire class?
No. Electricity is an ignition or shock hazard, not a UK fire class. Equipment such as CO₂ is commonly selected while apparatus is energised; after safe isolation, the burning material determines the underlying class.
How many fire extinguishers do I need?
The answer depends on floor area, certified fire ratings, travel distances, storeys, special hazards and building layout. A simple count such as “two per floor” should not replace premises-specific selection.
Should staff try to fight a fire?
Evacuation, raising the alarm and calling 999 come first. Extinguishers are primarily provided to support safe escape and may only be considered for a small fire when a person is instructed or trained, has the correct unit and retains a safe route out.
How often do extinguishers need servicing?
Responsible persons should arrange routine checks and competent maintenance under the relevant standard, manufacturer instructions and fire risk assessment. Annual basic servicing is commonly used, with additional requirements based on extinguisher type, age and condition.
Sources and limitations
Evidence behind this guide
This guide provides general information rather than a site-specific specification, product endorsement or instruction to fight a fire. British Standards are copyrighted codes of practice; the summaries here do not reproduce or replace them.
- GOV.UK: Fire safety risk assessment — offices and shops
- GOV.UK: Making small non-domestic premises safe from fire
- Surrey Fire and Rescue Service: Extinguishers and fire blankets
- HSE: General fire safety
- BSI: BS 5306-8:2023 — selection and positioning
- BSI: BS 5306-3:2017 — commissioning and maintenance
- BAFE: Fire extinguisher guidance and SP101