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Which Type of Fire Extinguisher Will I Need

This information is designed to help you make the right choice when purchasing your fire extinguishers. Please read the information we have provided on the different types of fire extinguishers to determine the right fire extinguisher for your requirements. We are available on 0800 5999 704 should you wish to discuss your fire safety requirements in more detail.

Our fire extinguisher advice is split into the following key sections:

Section 1 - What are the types of fire?
Section 2 - What types of fire extinguishers are available?
Section 3 - How do fire extinguishers work?
Section 4 - What are the regulations for fire extinguishers?
Section 5 - How Many Fire Extinguishers do I need ?
Section 6 - Where and how should we install our fire extinguishers ?

Section 1 - What are the types of fire ?

There are six different types or classes of fire, each of which has fire extinguishers to tackle the specific types of fire. Newer fire extinguishers use a picture/labelling system to designate which types of fires they are to be used on.

	Class A	Solid Fuel Fires
	Class B	Liquid Fuel Fires
	Class C	Gas Fires
	Class D	Metal Fires
	Class F	Cooking Oil Fires
	Electrical	Electrical Fires

Additionally, the majority of fire extinguishers have a numerical rating which is based on tests conducted by professional fire-fighters that are designed to determine the fire extinguishing potential for each size and type of fire extinguisher.

In the instance of class ‘A’ fires, the numerical value is the size of fire in cubic metres that the fire extinguisher can put out.

For class ‘B’ fires the numerical value represents the amount of litres of flammable liquid that can be extinguished by a single fire extinguisher.

Class ‘C’ fires have no numerical value as flammable gas is very difficult to measure in cubic metres - it depends on the ratio of gas to air there is in the local atmosphere.

Class ‘D’ fires have a numerical value, this represents size of fire in cubic metres that the fire extinguisher can put out.

‘E’ Class fires have no numerical value – please remember once the source of the electricity is shut down, the electrical fire will revert to a different class and therefore require a different fire extinguisher.

The numerical value in ‘F’ class fires is the same as in ‘B’ class fires – it represents the amount of litres of flammable liquid (cooking oils etc) that can be extinguished by a single fire extinguisher.

Section 2 - What types of fire extinguishers are available?

Fire Extinguishers	Class Of Fire	Description
Water Fire Extinguishers		WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHERS are especially designed for tackling Class A fires (wood, paper, straw, textiles, coal etc.).
Foam Fire Extinguishers		FOAM FIRE EXTINGUISHERS are ideally suited where both class A & B fire risks exist. Aqueous Film Forming Foam or AFFF is particularly suited to fight liquid spill fires such as petrol, oil, fats, paints etc. and works by forming a film on the liquid to extinguish the fire. This fire extinguisher has also passed the electrical conductivity test at 35kv.
CO2 Fire Extinguishers		CARBON DIOXIDE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS are suitable for class B risks involving flammable liquids and especially for electrical hazards. These fire extinguishers have been a natural replacement for Halon. CO2 is harmless to electrical equipment and as such is ideal for modern offices, electronic risks, and fires caused by the combustion of liquids such as: oils, fats, solvents, etc.
Powder Fire Extinguishers		POWDER FIRE EXTINGUISHERS are especially suited to mixed fire risk environments and a good all round fire extinguisher. They are also suitable for flammable liquid risk, such as methane, propane, hydrogen, natural gas etc.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers		WET CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS are especially designed for tackling cooking oil / deep fat fryer (Class F) fires, but also have an effective capability for extinguishing Class A fires (wood, paper, straw, textiles, coal etc.). This fire extinguisher has also passed the electrical conductivity test at 35kv.

Section 3 - How do fire extinguishers work?

Fire extinguishers come in 2 varieties – Stored pressure and cartridge operated.

Stored pressure fire extinguishers are fully pressurised cylinders that contain both the fire extinguishing substance AND fire propellant (in the form of compressed air or Nitrogen for Water, Powder, AFF Foam and wet chemical fire extinguishers). Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers are only sold in stored pressure canisters as the CO2 itself is stored under pressure (so it is actually a liquid) and therefore the expanding gas propels itself from the fire extinguisher. As the handle is pressed down, the valve is opened and releases the compressed air, as this happens the fire extinguishant is carried out of the canister and passed down the hose onto the fire.

Cartridge operated fire extinguishers are not pressurised – they have a small CO2 cartridge that discharges into the cylinder when the fire extinguisher is activated and effectively turns it into a stored pressure fire extinguisher.

Section 4 - What are the regulations for fire extinguishers?

Where to fix your fire extinguisher
Fix a fire extinguisher where you can reach it quickly. The best place is on an escape route, that is near an outside door, or on the route from the living areas to an outside door, or adjacent to a specific risk. It should be properly fixed to the wall at a height where it can be reached. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Fire extinguishers should be fixed where they can be easily seen. Fixing them inside cupboards or behind doors will only waste valuable time if a fire breaks out. Do not place them over cookers or heaters or in places of extreme temperatures.

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
The manufacturers instructions will tell you what you need to do to keep your fire extinguisher in good working order. After a fire extinguisher has been used, even if only partially, it must be recharged according to the manufacturers instructions.
The fire extinguisher should be serviced annually.

You should always use an accredited company for the supply and maintenance of your fire equipment or you risk your insurance cover being invalid. More information on this topic coming soon!

Section 5 - How Many Fire Extinguishers Do I Require ?

The amount required is calculated by the size of your premises and the risk involved.

Guidelines when calculating (Please note that these are guidelines and are based on low risk premises):

• The standards stipulate that no person should be more than 30 meters from a fire extinguisher
• The general guideline is 1 x 9L Water or Foam per 200sq Meters plus a fire extinguisher for special risk such as a Co2 for electrical or liquid fires
• If you have special circumstances or feel unsure please contact your local fire services (Fire Officer)

Fire Extinguisher - Technical Calculations

• If your premises are single occupancy and not larger than 100sq Meters with an upper floor area of not more than 100 sq Meters then you will require a minimum fire test rating of 13A (which is the equivalent to 1 x 9L Water or greater than a 4Kg powder or greater than a 2Litre Foam) plus you should also have a fire extinguisher to cover any specific risks (i.e. Co2 for electrical risks or possibility of liquid fires)
• If your building is larger than 400sq Meters then there should be a minimum of 2 fire extinguishers per floor and each floor should not have less than a fire test rating of 26 A (2 x 9 L Water or 2 x greater than a 4Kg powder or 2 x greater than a 2 Litre Foam) plus you should also have a fire extinguisher to cover any specific risks (i.e. Co2 for electrical risks or possibility of liquid fires). The formula is 0.065 x floor area (in Square meters) and that will give you the Class A fire test rating that you need as a minimum. (All the fire extinguishers on our site have their rating printed)
• If you have special circumstances, feel unsure or feel that you may be a high risk please contact your local fire services (Fire Officer)

Please note that fire test ratings on fire extinguishers vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so please do not assume that any 2 fire extinguishers are the same. The fire extinguishers mentioned above are based on the products supplied by Fire Extinguishers Direct.

Disclaimer: Fire Extinguishers Direct intends the above mentioned as guidelines and this should not be taken as law. The above mentioned is taken from the relevant British Standards. Fire Extinguishers Direct will not be held responsible for any misinterpretations or where a company uses the above and does not conform to the standard. Fire Extinguishers Direct advises that where possible companies are unsure that they seek the advice from the local fire brigade (Fire Officer).

Fire Extinguishers - Example Situations

Office
The most common combination and safest cover is 1 x 9L Water or 9L Foam and 1 x 2Kg Co2. The water or foam covers all Flammable solids like paper, carpet, curtains etc and the Co2 covers all electrical risk such as computers etc

Industrial Premises
The most common are Powder and Foam fire extinguishers coupled with Co2 for electrical risk. The Powder covers all risks and especially fires which react with water or foam, Foam is ideal for flammable liquid fires. Please note that this is for general circumstances, it may vary depending on what machinery is used and what is being stored.

Industrial Kitchens
This will depend mainly on the methods of cooking, but the most common are Co2 for electrical fires, Dry Powder for Flammable Gas (Gas Ovens) and Wet Chemical for Deep Fat Fires. There should also be a fire blanket installed.

Residential
A 1Kg powder or 2 Kg powder should be sufficient to cover all normal risks and this should be supplemented with a fire blanket. This should always be situated in the kitchen

Vehicle
A 1kg or 2 Kg powder fire extinguisher should always be situated near the front seats.

Section 6 - Where and how should we install our fire extinguishers ?

The fire extinguishers should be mounted on the wall (our fire extinguishers come with a ready to mount bracket) or on a stand with the handle approximately 1m from the ground; they should have the corresponding Identification Sign mounted above. The fire extinguishers should always be situated in a conspicuous position where they can readily be seen by persons following the escape routes. They should be located near room exits, in corridors, on stairway lobbies and landings on each floor.

If you are unsure or require further advice please feel free to contact us on 0800 5999 704 and one of our qualified engineers will be able to offer you advice on the correct fire extinguisher for your needs.