FIRE EXTINGUISHER GUIDE 2026

There are 6 fire extinguisher label colours: Red, Cream, Black, Blue, Yellow and *Green.
Each colour represents a different type of extinguisher, used on different types of fires.

The fire extinguisher colours changed in 1997 to meet British and European Standard BS EN3.
All modern fire extinguishers have a red (or chrome) body, with the identifying colour displayed in a wide band at the top of the extinguisher – as in the image below:

* The British Standards Institution has published BS ISO 3941:2026 – Classification of Fires. This introduces Class L for lithium-ion battery fires. However, this class has not yet been incorporated in the BS EN 2 / EN 3 extinguisher fire rating system. (April 2026)

Up until 1997, the body of the extinguisher was usually made up of the entire distinguishing fire extinguisher colour.
For example, Co2 extinguishers would have been completely black, Foam extinguishers would have been completely cream, and powder extinguishers would have been completely blue.

The standard fire extinguisher colour was changed to ‘signal red’ for 2 main reasons.

Firstly, red is the colour associated with both danger and fire and so there is an obvious association with fire extinguishers.
Secondly, red is the colour most easy to see, especially in a darker environment, such as a smoke-filled room.

The only exception to the ‘red’ rule, is chrome extinguishers. Whilst these do not strictly conform to the guidelines, all chrome extinguishers in the UK are ISO 9001 quality supervised and tested against British Standard BS EN3.

We recommend using larger extinguisher ID signs with chrome extinguishers, to make them more visible.

See our separate Fire Safety Signage Guide

The different fire extinguisher colours tell you which classes of fire an extinguisher can be used on. Fire is a form of dry heat, but it comes in different forms. There are seven classes of fire: A, B, C, D, ‘Electrical’, F and now L*.

How water extinguishers work:

The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished.

Types of premises/business who may need water extinguishers:

– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:
■ Offices
■ Schools
■ Hospitals
■ Residential properties
■ Warehouses
In fact, most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers.

Where to locate water extinguishers:
– By the exits on a floor where a Class A fire risk has been identified

How Foam extinguishers work:

As with water extinguishers, foam extinguishers have a cooling effect on the fuel. On burning liquids, the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire.

Types of premises/business who may need Foam extinguishers:

– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:
■ Offices
■ Schools
■ Hospitals
■ Residential properties
■ Warehouses
– Buildings where flammable liquids are stored
In fact most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers

Where to locate Foam extinguishers:
– By the exits on a floor where a Class A or Class B fire risk has been identified

LFX
LFX extinguishers are water-based, meaning they are Fluorine-free, whilst discharging as a foam which quickly absorbs the heat. As a result, the chain reaction which leads to thermal runaway breaks down, cooling down the battery and preventing other cells from overheating.

Suitable for homes, offices, workshops and repair stores with cordless tools, mobile phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, toys, etc.

Lith-Ex
Using a non-toxic and revolutionary extinguishing agent, AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion) is deployed as a mist which then creates a film over the surface which instantly dries to create an oxygen barrier, cools and prevents re-ignition. The Lith-Ex fire extinguisher is the only one which is safe to use on a lithium-ion battery and works even where a powder can’t.

Perfect for vehicles, aviation, marine, medical facilities and any premises with items which have lithium-ion batteries.

How CO2 extinguishers work:

CO2 extinguishers suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn.

Types of premises/business who may need foam extinguishers:

– Premises with electrical equipment, such as:
■ Offices
■ Kitchens
■ Construction sites
■ Server rooms

Where to locate CO2 extinguishers:
– Place near to the source of an electrical hazard and/or near the fire exits with a Class A extinguisher where electrical hazards are present.

How dry powder extinguishers work:

Dry powder extinguishers smother fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the
source of oxygen.

Types of premises/business who may need Dry Powder extinguishers:

■ Businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes
■ Premises where welding and flame cutting takes place
■ Garage forecourts
■ Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) dispensing plants
■ Premises with large, commercial boiler rooms

Where to locate Dry Powder extinguishers:
– Place dry powder extinguishers near to the source of the fire risk.

Specialist Dry Powder extinguishers – what’s the difference?:
Specialist dry powder extinguishers work in the same way as standard dry powder extinguishers but are for use with flammable metals only. There are 2 types of specialist dry powder extinguishers – ‘L2’ which only tackles lithium fires, and ‘M28’, for all other flammable metal fires.

How wet chemical extinguishers work:

Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil or fat, preventing oxygen from fuelling the fire any further. The spray also has a cooling effect.

Types of premises/business who may need wet chemical extinguishers:

■ Premises with commercial kitchens

Where to locate wet chemical extinguishers:
– Place near to the source of the fire risk.

Trolley Units

Wheeled trolley units are designed to fight fires in many different environments including warehouses, petroleum sites, research sites and factories. Easy to manoeuvre, the wheeled trolley unit can be operated by one person.

Available in ABC Powder, C02, Foam and Lith-Ex variants.

Mobile fire points

For environments like forecourts and construction sites, it isn’t always possible or practical to have fire extinguishers fixed to walls or limited to dedicated areas. This is where fire extinguisher trolleys and mobile fire points can help. They can have a manual hand bell and first aid kit with signage and accomodate two or three extinguisher types.

Fire extinguisher cabinets

Prevent misuse, vandalism, and damage from adverse weather as well as for use on vehicles. Available in single or double sizes.

Fire buckets

Fire buckets are an effective way to extinguish small, contained fires and contain spills of flammable liquids in the UK. They are typically filled with sand or water and are easy to use. They are a valuable tool for fire safety due to their simplicity (easy to refill), effectiveness, and affordability.

Fire extinguisher legislation in the UK can feel a little complicated for some people. That’s why we wrote this simplified guide to the UK’s current laws and available guidance on fire extinguishers.

As with all fire safety legislation in England and Wales, UK Fire Extinguisher regulations form part of ‘The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005’, also known as the ‘RRO’.

All premises used for non-domestic purposes, with a few minor exceptions, come under this order.

You can read the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 here

Whilst the legislation has been responsible for dramatically reducing commercial fires in the UK, it can be difficult to interpret if you’re not a fire safety professional – which is why we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions below as clearly and simply as possible.

* The British Standards Institution has published BS ISO 3941:2026 – Classification of Fires. This introduces Class L for lithium-ion battery fires. However, this class has not yet been incorporated in the BS EN 2 / EN 3 extinguisher fire rating system. (April 2026)