Types of Fire Extinguisher

There are five different types of fire extinguisher, each one is used specifically for a particular class of fire.

• Red - contains water and should be used on Class A fires. Class A fires are those which burn flammable solids such as paper, wood and plastic.
• Cream - contains foam and should be used on Class B and A (a limited effect) fires. Class B fires are flammable liquids such as paint, petrol and oil.
• Blue - contains powder and should be used on Class B and C fires. Class C fires are gases such as hydrogen, propane and butane.
• Black - contains CO2 and should be used on Class B, C and D fires. Class D fires are metals such as potassium, aluminium and magnesium.
• Yellow - contains wet chemical and should be used on Class F fires. Class F fires involve cooking oils and fats, including chip pan fires.

Class A – flammable solids such as paper, wood etc.

Class B – flammable liquids such as paint, petrol etc.

Class C – gases such as hydrogen, propane etc.

Class D – metals such as aluminium, magnesium etc.

Electrical – does not have its own class, can fall into any other classes

Class F – cooking oils and fats – includes chip pan fires