Fire Extinguishers

Everything You Need to Know About Choosing a Fire Extinguisher in the UK

Ensuring your workplace or home is equipped with the right fire extinguisher is crucial for safety and compliance. In the UK, understanding the different types of fire extinguishers, their uses, and the classifications of fires they’re designed to combat is the first step in making an informed decision. This guide will help you navigate through choosing the perfect fire extinguisher for your needs.

Choosing Your Fire Extinguisher Agent

In the UK, fire extinguishers are categorised based on the firefighting agent they contain. The three primary types are:

• Water Fire Extinguishers: Ideal for Class A fires involving solid combustibles like wood, paper, and textiles. They cool the fire, reducing its temperature below the ignition point.
• Foam Fire Extinguishers: Effective on Class A and B fires, these extinguishers smother the flames and block oxygen supply to the fuel. Suitable for flammable liquids excluding cooking oils or fats.
• Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers: Versatile and effective against Class A, B, and C fires, dry chemical extinguishers interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire. These are suitable for mixed fire risk environments.

Fire Extinguisher Classes

UK fire extinguisher classes are designed to match the type of fire they’re intended to fight:

• Class A: Fires involving organic solids like wood, paper, and textiles.
• Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids like petrol, diesel, or oils (excluding cooking oils).
• Class C: Fires involving gases.
• Class D: Fires involving metals.
• Class E: Not officially recognised in the UK, but commonly refers to electrical fires.
• Class F: Fires involving cooking oils and fats.

Each type of fire extinguisher is marked with symbols indicating the classes of fire it can be used on, ensuring easy identification.

Fire Extinguisher Capacity and Rating

In the UK, fire extinguisher capacity and rating are crucial factors:

• Class A extinguishers are rated by the amount of water they hold and their ability to extinguish a fire (e.g., 13A indicates a high level of protection).
• Class B extinguishers are rated by the square footage they can cover, with numbers indicating the size of fire they can effectively extinguish.

Selecting a fire extinguisher with the right capacity and rating ensures adequate protection for your premises.

Fire Extinguisher Location

UK regulations require fire extinguishers to be located in accessible, well-marked positions, free from obstruction. They should be placed near fire hazards, exit routes, and in areas where they can be quickly accessed in an emergency.

Specific Fire Extinguisher Types for Different Fires

• Electrical Fires (Class E): CO₂ extinguishers are preferred due to their non-conductive and residue-free discharge. Dry powder extinguishers can also be used but may leave a residue.
• Cooking Oil Fires (Class F): Wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed to combat these fires, creating a soap-like solution that cools and smothers the flames.

Understanding Fire Extinguisher Colours in the UK

Fire extinguishers in the UK feature a colour-coded band or label indicating their type:

• Water Extinguishers – Red – Suitable for Class A
• Foam – Cream – Suitable for Class A and B
• Carbon Dioxide – Black – Suitable for Class B and Electrical
• Powder – Dark Blue – Suitable for Class A, B, C and Electrical
• Wet Chemical – Yellow – Suitable for Class F and A
• Clean Agent – Green – Suitable for Class A and B

Choosing the right fire extinguisher involves understanding the types of fires you may encounter and selecting the extinguisher that best suits those needs. It’s also essential to ensure that staff or household members are trained in the correct use of extinguishers and that regular maintenance checks are conducted to keep them in working order.

By following these guidelines, you can enhance fire safety in your UK home or business, ensuring that you’re prepared for any eventuality.