Fire Extinguishers

Extinguisher Types & Uses

• Water (red band) — Class A: paper, wood, textiles
• Foam/AFFF (cream band) — Class A + B: solids + flammable liquids
• CO₂ (black band) — Class B + electrical fires (non-conductive, no residue)
• Dry Powder (blue band) — Class A + B + C: solids, liquids, gases, electrical
• Wet Chemical (yellow band) — Class F: cooking oils and fats

NEVER use water on electrical fires (electrocution risk) or burning oil/fat (causes fireball). NEVER use CO₂ in confined spaces (displaces oxygen).

Electrical fires are not a separate fire class in UK law — UK uses Classes A/B/C/D/F. There is NO "Class E". Electrical hazard is shown by a lightning symbol.

Fire Classes (BS EN 2)

• A — Solids (wood, paper, textiles, cardboard)
• B — Flammable liquids (petrol, oil, solvents, paint)
• C — Flammable gases (propane, butane, natural gas)
• D — Metals (magnesium, aluminium, sodium)
• F — Cooking oils/fats (deep fat fryers, chip pans)

PASS Technique — How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

• P — Pull the pin
• A — Aim at the BASE of the fire
• S — Squeeze the handle
• S — Sweep from side to side

Before using: raise the alarm first; ensure you have an escape route behind you; only attempt if the fire is small and contained; if in doubt, evacuate and call 999.

Never attempt to fight a fire unless you are trained and it is safe to do so. Always follow your site fire plan and training.