Reference · Fire extinguishers · BS 5306
Fire extinguisher type guide
Pick an extinguisher type to see its colour band, the fires it is for, and the fires it must not be used on. The body is red on every type. The colour band shows what is inside.
Result
Choose an extinguisher type.
Details
Fire classes: A solids such as wood and paper, B flammable liquids, C flammable gases, D metals, F cooking oils and fats. In the UK, electrical equipment is not a class. It is a condition: only extinguishers that do not conduct electricity (CO2, powder or clean agent) belong on live equipment.
Colour bands follow BS 5306-10:2019, which replaced BS 7863. Water mist and clean agent extinguishers use other colours, which could not be confirmed, so they are not listed.
The fire risk assessment decides which extinguishers a building needs. To find how many, use the extinguisher numbers calculator.
For guidance only. Always check against the current edition of the standard and the manufacturer's data.
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