Fire Extinguishers Explained

Fire Extinguishers Explained: Quick Guide

Your quick & easy guide to Fire Extinguishers, their uses, Servicing Requirements & Correct Selection

Time to get up to speed on your Fire Extinguishers…..

They are often just left to collect dust or hold doors open, but they could save your life one day. We have put together need to know information which covers all the main points below.

Classes of Fires
UK Colour coding
Main types of Extinguishers & uses
User checks
Servicing
What makes an Extinguisher “Condemned”
Importance of correct maintenance by a BAFE provider
Why online fire extinguishers may be cheaper

Fire extinguishers explained showing water, CO₂, powder and wet chemical types

Classes of fire chart showing five fire categories and compatible extinguisher types with green ticks and red crosses

Main Classes of Fires

Fire extinguishers are designed for specific classes of fire. Using the wrong type can be ineffective—or dangerous.
The classes of Fire Are as follows;

Class A: Fires involving solid materials like wood, paper & textiles.
Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, paint % oil.
Class C: Fires involving flammable gases like propane & butane.
Class F: Fires involving cooking oils & fats, common in kitchens.
Electrical Fires: Fires involving live electrical equipment.

UK Colour Coding

There is specific colour coding to be compliant to legislation & the main UK colour codes are as follows;

Red: Water
Cream: Foam
Blue: Dry Powder
Black: Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Yellow: Wet Chemical

The Main Types of Extinguishers & their Uses

There is specific colour coding to be compliant to legislation & the main UK colour codes are as follows;

Water (Class A)
– Label Colour: Red
– Suitable For: Wood, paper, textiles, solid combustibles
– Not For: Electrical fires, flammable liquids, kitchen oils

Foam (A & B)
– Label Colour: Cream
– Suitable For: Class A solids & Class B flammable liquids
– Not For: Kitchen oils, live electrical fires

CO₂ (Electrical & B)
– Label Colour: Black
– Suitable For: Electrical fires, small flammable liquid fires
– Not For: Class A materials, confined spaces

Dry Powder (A, B, C)
– Label Colour: Blue
– Suitable For: Flammable gases, liquids, electrical fires
– Not For: Enclosed spaces, deep-fat fryers

Wet Chemical (F & A)
– Label Colour: Yellow
– Suitable For: Cooking oils & fats (Class F)
– Not For: Flammable liquids or gases

User Checks

It is important to carry out weekly/monthly checks on your Fire Extinguishers to ensure they are always ready for use. This will likely be done by the responsible person, designated Fire Warden or building owner. The checks includ:
– Presence & accessibility
– Pressure gauge in green
– Tamper seal & pin intact
– Condition (no dents, leaks, corrosion)
– Correct signage

Water fire extinguisher with usage instructions for Class A fires on wood, paper, and textiles

FireQueen Red 6kg ABC powder fire extinguisher with multi-class fire rating for Classes A, B, and C fires

A red wet chemical fire extinguisher is placed upright against a white brick wall. Instructions and safety information are printed on the front of the extinguisher in white and yellow text.

FireQueen engineer conducting extended service discharge test preparation on fire extinguisher in professional workshop

FireQueen service technician performing fire extinguisher basic service by checking discharge hose and valve operation

Fire safety engineer performing fire extinguisher commissioning by attaching service label and hose to FireQueen extinguisher

Fire Extinguisher Servicing

A full “basic service” must be conducted by a competent, qualified technician at least annually (or 1 month either side of annual date) in line with British Standard BS 5306-3.
As per the weekly checks but in addition:
– Full inspection – Checking of the whole main body, base skirt, service label, Kite Mark (Or Similar) suitability, location & condition
– Component checks – Hoses or Horns checked with the relevant washers & O Rings replaced. Headcap/valve & Safety pin inspection
– Gauge testing to ensure the pressure gauge is functional & reading correctly
– Weighing of the Extinguisher to ensure correct contents level
– Tamperproof seal replacement
– General clean of the whole extinguisher

As well as the annual service, there are also more in-depth services required to ensure your extinguisher is safe for continued service. The types of service & intervals are:

Extended Service (Every 5 Years) – Water, Foam, Wet Chemicals & Powder:
– Discharge test
– Internal examination
– Refill & repressurisation

CO₂ Hydrostatic Test (Every 10 Years):
– Structural pressure testing & replacement of valve closure

What Makes a Fire Extinguisher Condemned?

Missing/illegible operating instructions
Severe external corrosion or dents
Weld failure
Failed pressure test
Obsolete model
Damaged hoses
Internal corrosion
Unauthorised modifications
End of safe lifespan

Importance of Correct Maintenance by a BAFE Registerred Provider

Why Proper Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Is Important:

Ensures the extinguisher works when you need it most:

– Fire extinguishers can lose pressure or become blocked over time. Regular servicing ensures correct pressure, clean nozzles & fully functioning components.

Legal compliance:
– Required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
– Must be maintained by a competent person – BAFE Registerred Technicians meet this standard.

Insurance protection:
– Insurers may reject claims if extinguishers are not serviced correctly.
– Businesses may become liable for damage or injury.

Risks of Not Using a BAFE Registered Company:

Increased risk of extinguisher failure:
– Non-certified individuals may miss faults or use incorrect parts which may cause extinguishers to fail during use.

Non-compliance with UK fire regulations:
– Risk of fines, enforcement notices, or prosecution.

Invalid maintenance certificates:
– Only BAFE Registered companies issue widely accepted certificates.

Potential liability in the event of a fire:
– Businesses may be held responsible if poorly maintained equipment contributes to damage; also running the risk of insurance claims not being settled.

Poor-quality or unsafe servicing:
– BAFE approval ensures technicians follow national standards.

Vintage condemned fire extinguishers showing carbon dioxide and foam spray models that no longer meet current UK safety standards

Severely damaged powder fire extinguisher condemned from building site showing heavy wear, corrosion, and deteriorated condition

Two red carbon dioxide extinguishers with black discharge horns showing different sizes for Class B and electrical fire protection

Fire safety technician performing fire extinguisher extended service by removing headcap from foam extinguisher during maintenance inspection

Why online sellers may be cheaper

We have lost track of how many customers have stated “they can get Extinguishers cheaper online so why bother using a BAFE company” ? Below are some things to consider before making this important decision.

Before purchasing online extinguishers, have you had a survey? Before potential unnecessary expense or selection of equipment which may not be optimal, it is recommended to have a survey to ensure selection & locations of Extinguishers are correct. We offer no obligation free surveys to ensure you have the correct equipment & signage for the risk.
Is the extinguisher you are purchasing the right type for your premises & the associated risks? We ensure the extinguishers purchased are correct to the risk, British Standards Kitemarked, BAFE (British Approvals of Fire Equipment) & approved to BS EN 3.
Many Websites use a stock photo for the equipment you are purchasing; this means you may not always receive the exact product which was displayed. Receiving a substitute to an item shown online may compromise your requirements to BS5306 & RRO (Fire Safety); the Fire ratings or contents may not be the same.
Does the internet supplier have correct liability insurance & what would happen if the extinguisher did not function when needed….. Who would you claim from? We have the correct insurance for the supply, installation & maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers.
Who is completing the installation & commissioning? As part of BS5306, it is a requirement that the new Fire Extinguisher is Commissioned by a competent (BAFE Registered Technician) person. Who would be doing this? We hold BAFE SP101 certification & are audited to ensure we maintain continuously high levels of service.
Does the installer hold an ISO registration number which includes BAFE SP101? We are BAFE SP101 approved, the maintain quality & environmental management systems meeting the requirements of ISO 9001 & ISO 14001, demonstrating our processes & services consistently meet the highest standards in all areas.
What proof of competency do you have for both the internet supplier & the sub-contractor who may be installing? The internet supplier is only selling a product & anyone can mount an extinguisher on a wall… All our Technicians are trained & certified, which means we not only supply & install the extinguisher, we also ensure location, signage & coverage is acceptable for the risks involved.
What is the product guarantee (if any)? Our Fire Extinguishers are supplied with a 10-year warranty (providing they are maintained by us during this period)
Do you have old extinguishers which need to be removed & disposed of? The incorrect disposal of Portable Fire Extinguishers can result in a fine of up to £1000 under environmental legislation. We dispose all our redundant Fire Extinguishers correctly to government guidelines & are audited to to confirm this.

Hopefully, we have provided you with a basic insight into Fire Extinguishers & the ongoing maintenance requirements. We offer free advice & surveys nationally, so feel free to get in touch with our team today!

Customer Support Team

0800 731 2748

Enquiry Form

Fire Queen for Fire Alarm Servicing, Fire Extinguisher Servicing

REGISTERED OFFICE

Fire Queen Limited
23-37 Broadstone Road
Reddish, Stockport
SK5 7AR
England

T: 0800 7312748
T: 0161 442 5500
E: enquiries@firequeen.co.uk

VAT-Number: 285931522
Registered in England & Wales – Company Number: 1219302

SERVICES

Fire Safety Products
Fire Protection Services
Request an Engineer
UK Fire Extinguisher Servicing
UK Fire Alarm Servicing
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy

PRODUCTS

Fire Alarm Servicing
Fire Extinguisher Manchester
Fire Extinguisher Servicing
Dry Riser Maintenance
Fire Safety Products
Fire Extinguisher Servicing Manchester
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Emergency Lighting Maintenance
Smartcell EMS

FIREQUEEN

Delivering Installation & Maintenance Services for Fire Extinguishers, Wireless Fire Alarm Installation, Fire Detection and Protection Equipment & Fire Safety in Stockport, the North West & throughout the United Kingdom

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Fire Queen Limited & while we endeavor to keep the information up to date & correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability, with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.