Fire Extinguishers

Label Colour: Cream

Use for: Organic materials such as Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles, Wood and coal. Plus: Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol

Do not use for:

• Kitchen fires
• Fires involving electrical equipment
•  Flammable metals

Types of premises/business who may need Foam extinguishers:

• Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
• Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as Offices, Schools, Hospitals, Residential properties, Warehouses
• Buildings where flammable liquids are stored

In fact most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers

Where to locate foam extinguishers:By the exits on a floor where a Class A or Class B fire risk has been identified

Label Colour: Blue

Use for:Organic materials such as Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles, Wood and coalPlus: Flammable liquids, like paint and petrolPlus: Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylenePlus: Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v

Specialist dry powder extinguishers are only used on flammable metals, such as titanium and magnesium.

Do not use for:

• Fires involving cooking oil
• Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v
• or in enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties
• Types of premises/business who may need Dry Powder extinguishers:
• Businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes
• Premises where welding and flame cutting takes place
• Garage forecourts
• Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) dispensing plants
• Premises with large, commercial boiler rooms

Where to locate Dry Powder extinguishers:Place dry powder extinguishers near to the source of the fire risk.

Specialist Dry Powder extinguishers – what’s the difference?:Specialist dry powder extinguishers work in the same way as standard dry powder extinguishers but are for use with flammable metals only. There are 2 types of specialist dry powder extinguishers – ‘L2’ which only tackles lithium fires, and ‘M28’, for all other flammable metal fires.

Label Colour: Black

Use for:

• Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
• Electrical fires

Do not use for:

• Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires
• Combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles
• Flammable metals

Types of premises/business who may need CO2 extinguishers:Premises with electrical equipment, such as Offices, Kitchens, Construction sites, Server rooms

All work vehicles should also carry a smaller 2kg CO2 extinguisher.

Where to locate CO2 extinguishers:Place near to the source of the fire risk and/or near the fire exits.

Label Colour: Yellow

Use for:

• Cooking oil/fat fires
• Organic materials such as Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles, Wood and coal

Do not use for:

• Flammable liquid or gas fires
• Electrical fires
• Flammable metals

Types of premises/business who may need wet chemical extinguishers:

• Commercial kitchens
• Canteens

Where to locate wet chemical extinguishers:Place near to the source of the fire risk.