Walk into any office or workshop and you will see red extinguishers on the wall with small patches of colour. Those patches are the quickest way to tell what is inside. Choosing the right one in an emergency can make a big difference, so it is worth knowing what they mean.
The colour bands
Under the European standard (BS EN 3) the whole body of the extinguisher is red, and a coloured zone on the label shows the contents:
- Water: red band or all red. For paper, wood, textiles and other solid materials. Never use on electrical equipment or cooking oil.
- Foam (AFFF): cream band. For solid materials and flammable liquids such as petrol and paint.
- Dry powder: blue band. For solids, liquids and gases, but it reduces visibility and makes a mess indoors, so be careful where it is placed.
- CO2: black band. For flammable liquids and electrical equipment. It leaves no residue and is common in offices and server rooms.
- Wet chemical: yellow band. Designed for cooking oil and fat fires in commercial kitchens.
Older extinguishers may be painted in the colour of their contents. They are still acceptable but should be replaced when they reach the end of their life.
Fire classes
Fires are grouped into classes, which is how extinguishers are rated:
- Class A: solids such as wood, paper and fabric.
- Class B: flammable liquids.
- Class C: flammable gases.
- Class D: metals.
- Electrical: not a class in its own right, but equipment that is live needs a suitable extinguisher.
- Class F: cooking oils and fats.
How often should extinguishers be checked and serviced?
BS 5306-3 is the code of practice for maintaining portable extinguishers. In practice that means:
- Monthly: a quick visual check by the responsible person. Is it there, accessible, undamaged, with the pin and seal in place and the gauge showing in the green?
- Annually: a basic service by a competent person, with a label showing the date and the next service due.
- Extended service: a more detailed overhaul at longer intervals, commonly every five years for water-based and powder units and every ten years for CO2 and some others.
BS 5306-3 is a code of practice rather than law, but it is the recognised way to show you have met your duty to maintain firefighting equipment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Record keeping
Keep a log of installation dates, inspections and servicing, and any extinguisher that has been discharged or damaged. A tagged label on each unit makes it easy to see when it is next due.
Training
An extinguisher is only useful if people know how to use it. A short, practical session for staff covers when to fight a fire and when to get out, and how to use the equipment safely.
We supply, install and service extinguishers for businesses across the region. Take a look at our fire extinguisher service, or read how many extinguishers a business needs.
Frequently asked questions
Why are all extinguishers red now?
Modern UK extinguishers have a red body and a small coloured panel or band that shows what is inside. This makes them consistent and the contents easier to tell at a glance.
How often should fire extinguishers be serviced?
BS 5306-3 calls for a basic service by a competent person every year, with a visual check by the responsible person about once a month, and extended servicing at five or ten year intervals depending on the type.
Can I use a water extinguisher on an electrical fire?
No. Water conducts electricity and should not be used on live electrical equipment. Use a CO2 extinguisher or another type designed for electrical risks.