Fire extinguishers are an essential component of fire safety in homes, workplaces, and public buildings. Choosing the right fire extinguisher is about matching your fire risks to the correct extinguisher type, then placing and maintaining it properly. In the UK, the “Responsible Person” (or Duty Holder in Scotland) must put appropriate fire precautions in place based on a fire risk assessment.
In the UK, understanding the different types of extinguishers and complying with fire safety regulations is vital for preventing serious harm and property damage. This complete guide from MES Systems Ltd outlines everything you need to know about choosing, placing, and maintaining fire extinguishers in line with UK standards.
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Quick answer: which extinguisher do I need?
| Area/risk | Likely fire class | Best extinguisher option(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offices, corridors, general areas | Class A (paper, wood, textiles) | Water or Foam | Water is common for Class A; foam can cover A + B |
| Kitchens (commercial) / deep fat fryers | Class F | Wet chemical + fire blanket | Wet chemical is designed for cooking oils/fats |
| Flammable liquids (workshops, garages) | Class B | Foam, sometimes CO₂ | Foam is often preferred for spill fires |
| Electrical equipment (server racks, switchgear) | Not a fire class (electrical risk) | CO₂ (common) | Prioritise isolating power and safe evacuation |
| Mixed risks (industrial, outdoors) | A/B/C mix | Powder (with caveats) | Powder is versatile but messy and can reduce visibility indoors |
Fire classes in the UK (A, B, C, D, F) and “electrical”
Fire classes describe what’s burning:
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Class A: solid combustibles (paper, wood, textiles)
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Class B: flammable liquids (petrol, solvents, paints)
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Class C: flammable gases (propane, butane, methane)
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Class D: combustible metals (magnesium, aluminium powder)
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Class F: cooking oils and fats (commercial kitchens)
What about electrical fires?
Electricity is not a class. If equipment is energised, the priority is to isolate power if safe, raise the alarm, and only attempt to fight a very small fire if trained and you have a clear escape route.
Types of Fire Extinguishers and Their Uses
Below are the main extinguisher types you’ll see in UK workplaces, with practical guidance for choosing correctly. Fire extinguishers in the UK are colour-coded and classified by the type of fire they are designed to tackle:
1. Water Extinguishers (Red Label)
- Best for: Class A fires involving solid combustibles like wood, textiles, and paper.
- Not suitable for: Electrical or flammable liquid fires.
- Function: Cools the fire by lowering the temperature of burning materials.
2. Foam Extinguishers (Cream Label)
- Best for: Class A and B fires, including solids and flammable liquids like petrol or paint.
- Not suitable for: Electrical fires.
- Function: Forms a blanket to smother the flames and prevent re-ignition.
3. CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) Extinguishers (Black Label)
- Best for: Electrical and flammable liquid fires.
- Not suitable for: Fires involving paper or textiles.
- Function: Replaces oxygen with CO₂ to suffocate the fire without residue.
4. Powder Extinguishers (Blue Label)
- Best for: Class A, B, and C fires (including flammable gases like propane).
- Not suitable for: Confined indoor areas due to risk of inhalation.
- Function: Interrupts the chemical reaction within the fire.
5. Wet Chemical Extinguishers (Yellow Label)
- Best for: Class F fires, typically cooking oil and deep-fat fryer fires.
- Not suitable for: Electrical or flammable liquid fires.
- Function: Produces a soapy layer to cool and smother flames.
UK Fire Extinguisher Regulations
Legal Requirements (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005)
- All UK businesses must carry out a fire risk assessment.
- At least two Class A extinguishers are required per floor in most commercial buildings.
- Specific extinguishers must be installed for risks like electrical equipment or flammable substances.
Placement Guidelines
- Extinguishers must be visible and easily accessible.
- Water/foam extinguishers should be near exits and fire risks.
- CO₂ extinguishers must be placed next to electrical equipment.
- Wet chemical units should be installed in kitchens with cooking oil hazards alongside a fire blanket.
Maintenance & Servicing
- Monthly checks for damage or tampering.
- Annual servicing by a qualified fire safety technician.
- Full replacement or extended servicing every 5–10 years, depending on the extinguisher type.
Get a Quote Today
MES systems can service your fire extinguisher for £6 +VAT per extinguisher. Minimum charge of £45+vat. Additional charges may apply to ensure extinguishers are maintained to the British standards. Common additional charges are 5 or 10 year discharge tests or refills (as and when required).
All service and maintenance works will be carried out in accordance to UK servicing standard BS5306-3 by a competent engineer
Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher
For Homes:
- Use foam or water extinguishers for general fires.
- Keep a CO₂ extinguisher near areas with electronics.
- Wet chemical extinguishers are ideal for kitchen fires.
For Businesses:
- Offices should have CO₂ and foam or water extinguishers.
- Workshops may need powder extinguishers for flammable gases.
- Kitchens require wet chemical units to handle grease and oil fires.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of fire extinguishers in the UK?
Common types include water, foam, CO₂, powder, wet chemical, plus water mist and specialist options for certain risks.
Which extinguisher is best for electrical fires?
There isn’t an “electrical fire class.” For energised electrical equipment, CO₂ is commonly used where appropriate, and isolating power is key.
Do businesses legally need fire extinguishers in the UK?
Fire safety law is risk-assessment-led. Where appropriate, the Responsible Person must provide fire-fighting equipment as part of general fire precautions.
How often do fire extinguishers need servicing?
Good practice is routine in-house checks (often monthly) and regular servicing by a competent person. Standards like BS 5306-3 are widely used as a benchmark.
Where should fire extinguishers be placed?
They should be easy to access, visible, and located at identified fire points, often along escape routes and matched to likely fire risks.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right fire extinguisher could make the difference between a small incident and a major emergency. At MES Systems Ltd, we advise all our customers to consult their fire risk assessment, as this should outline the specific requirements for the building. If it is not clear, we initially recommend you speak to the fire risk assessor who carried out the assessment.
If it is still unclear, please contact us, and we can support you by arranging a discussion or survey with one of our extinguisher technicians to determine exactly what is required for your building. Once you have certainty over what is required, we can then look to quote to supply, install and more importantly commission and maintain these extinguishers.
