Note: If you buying a fire extinguisher for a business and its not replacing a current fire extinguisher you will need to consult a compliance company to certify the type and placement of the fire extinguisher.
This is a question that comes in a lot, so I thought we would walk through the main types of Fire Extinguishers and what types of fire they are suitable for. Firstly, let’s take a look at the types of Fire Extinguishers available:
- Dry Powder ABE Fire Extinguisher (White Band)
- CO2 Fire Extinguisher (Black Band)
- Foam Fire Extinguisher (Blue Band)
- Water Fire Extinguisher (No Band)
- Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher (Beige Band)
And the classifications of Fires are:
- A – Wood Paper & Plastic
- B - Flammable & Combustible Liquids
- E – Energized Electrical Equipment
- F – Cooking Oils & Fats
ABE Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher (White Band)
This is a multipurpose fire extinguisher; the primary agent of the powder is monoammonium phosphate. These are the most commonly found household extinguishers due to being multipurpose. Also found in cars, boats, garages and the bach.
Is used for Class A – Wood Paper & Plastic, B – Flammable & Combustible liquids and E – Engergised electrical equipment.
Should not be used for Class F – Cooking Oils & Fats
Find Dry powder fire extinguishers here
CO2 Fire Extinguisher (Black Band)
A non-conductive, corrosive gas the go-to extinguisher for electrical fires or in places with a high electrical output for example a computer server room.
Is used for Class B – Flammable & Combustible liquids and E – Engergised electrical equipment
Should not be used for Class F – Cooking Oils & Fats
Find CO2 fire extinguishers here
Foam Fire Extinguisher (Blue Band)
Most commonly used for combustible liquid fires such as Gas. Oil or Paint, it works by blanketing the flammable liquid starving the fire of oxygen while decreasing the temperature.
Is used for Class A – Wood Paper & Plastic, B – Flammable & Combustible liquids.
Should not be used for Class E – Engergised electrical equipment
Find Foam fire extinguishers here
Water Fire Extinguisher (No Band)
These are a cheap fire extinguisher to be used on Class A fires Wood Paper & Plastic. And there is no impact on the environment
Is used for Class A – Wood Paper & Plastic.
Should not be used for Class B – Flammable & Combustible liquids, E – Engergised electrical equipment. F – Cooking Oils & Fats.
Find Water fire extinguishers here
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher (Beige Band)
Wet Chemical fire extinguishers are predominately used on Class F fires such as cooking oils and fats but can also be used on Class A fires wood, paper and plastic. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are mostly used in the kitchen where you would most likely find Class F fires.
Is used for Class F – Cooking Oils & Fats.
Should not be used for Class B – Flammable & Combustible liquids, E – Engergised electrical equipment.
Find Wet Chemical fire extinguishers here
