What Are the Different Types of Fire Extinguishers?
Short answer
Australia uses several different types of portable fire extinguishers, with each designed for particular classes of fire.
The most common types found in workplaces are:
- Dry chemical powder
- Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚)
- Wet chemical
- Foam
- Water
- Vaporising liquid
There are also specialised extinguishers for hazards such as combustible metal fires.
The important point is that the extinguisher must match the fire risk present. Having an extinguisher on the wall does not necessarily mean it is the correct extinguisher for that location.
What are the main types of fire extinguishers used in Australia?
Dry chemical powder — white band
Dry chemical powder extinguishers are among the most common extinguishers found in Australian workplaces.
ABE powder extinguishers can be suitable for Class A combustible materials, Class B flammable liquids, Class C flammable gases and fires involving energised electrical equipment.
BE powder extinguishers have a different classification and do not provide Class A coverage. The actual fire classes marked on the extinguisher should always be checked.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) — black band
COâ‚‚ extinguishers are commonly used where energised electrical equipment is the main risk.
They leave no powder or liquid residue, which can make them useful around computers, switchboards, server equipment and other sensitive electronics.
Wet chemical — oatmeal band
Wet chemical extinguishers are designed primarily for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats and can also provide Class A coverage.
They are commonly used in commercial kitchens and other areas where deep fryers and significant cooking-oil risks are present.
Foam — blue band
Foam extinguishers are commonly used for Class A combustible materials and Class B flammable-liquid fires.
They should not be used on energised electrical equipment unless the extinguisher is specifically classified for that use.
Water — all red
Water extinguishers are intended for Class A fires involving materials such as paper, wood, cardboard and textiles.
Water extinguishers must not be used on energised electrical equipment and are not suitable for fires involving cooking oils or flammable liquids.
Vaporising liquid — yellow band
Modern vaporising-liquid extinguishers can be used for certain Class A and electrical risks, with limited suitability for some other fire classes depending on the extinguisher's classification.
They should not be confused with older BCF or Halon extinguishers. Older Halon extinguishers should be removed from service and disposed of through an appropriate facility.
What fire classes is each extinguisher type suitable for?
Australian fire classes identify the type of fuel or hazard involved:
- Class A — wood, paper, cardboard, textiles and similar combustible materials
- Class B — flammable and combustible liquids
- Class C — flammable gases
- Class D — combustible metals
- Class E — fires involving energised electrical equipment
- Class F — cooking oils and fats
No single extinguisher type is suitable for every fire class.
This is why extinguisher selection needs to be based on the actual hazards present rather than simply installing the same type throughout an entire building.
What do the different colour bands on fire extinguishers mean?
Australian fire extinguishers use colour bands to help identify the extinguishing agent inside the cylinder.
- White — dry chemical powder
- Black — carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- Oatmeal — wet chemical
- Blue — foam
- Yellow — vaporising liquid
- All red — water
The colour band is a quick visual identifier, but the extinguisher's label and fire classification should always be checked before use.
Which fire extinguisher should be used for electrical equipment, offices and commercial kitchens?
The correct extinguisher depends on the risks present in each area.
Electrical equipment
COâ‚‚ extinguishers are commonly used around electrical equipment because they are suitable for energised electrical risks and leave no powder residue.
ABE dry chemical powder extinguishers can also provide Class E coverage, but the powder can create substantial residue around sensitive equipment.
Offices
An office usually contains more than an electrical risk.
Paper, cardboard, furniture and textiles create Class A fire risks, while computers, printers, power supplies and other equipment introduce electrical risks.
For that reason, an office containing only COâ‚‚ extinguishers may not have appropriate coverage for all of the hazards present.
ABE dry chemical powder extinguishers are commonly used to provide broader coverage, with COâ‚‚ extinguishers sometimes positioned near sensitive electrical equipment.
Commercial kitchens
Commercial kitchens containing deep fryers or significant quantities of cooking oils and fats require equipment suitable for Class F risks.
Wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed for these fires.
Water should never be used on burning cooking oil or fat.
What happens if the wrong type of fire extinguisher is used?
Using an extinguisher that is not suitable for the fire can make the situation more dangerous.
Examples include:
- using water on energised electrical equipment can create an electric-shock risk
- using water on burning cooking oil can violently spread the burning oil
- using an unsuitable extinguisher on combustible metals can cause a dangerous reaction
- discharging COâ‚‚ in a small enclosed area can create an asphyxiation risk
- dry chemical powder can significantly reduce visibility and leave substantial residue
The correct extinguisher therefore needs to be selected before an emergency occurs.
The type, fire classification, performance rating, location and suitability of each extinguisher should reflect the actual risks present in the area it is intended to protect.
Extinguishers are not the only fire equipment that needs routine servicing. Our guide on how often fire hose reels need to be inspected and serviced covers the 6-monthly and 12-monthly requirements for hose reels.
And if you are unsure what the broader fire safety requirements in NSW actually are, our guide on the requirements for fire inspections in NSW explains what section 81A and AS 1851-2012 require of building owners.