A Complete Guide to Fire Extinguishers in the UK

Fire extinguishers are an essential component of fire safety in homes, workplaces, and public buildings. 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.

👉 For expert guidance and fire safety solutions, visit our Fire Safety Services page.

Types of Fire Extinguishers and Their Uses

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.

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.

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.