Fire extinguisher colours and types
In the UK every extinguisher body is red. The type is shown by a coloured band or label covering at least 5% of the body (BS EN 3-7): red for water, cream for foam, black for CO2, blue for dry powder and yellow for wet chemical.
Colour chart
| Label colour | Type | Use on | Never use on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Water (and water mist) | Class A: wood, paper, textiles | Electrical equipment, burning fat or oil, flammable liquids |
| Cream | Foam (AFFF) | Class A and B: solids and flammable liquids such as petrol or paint | Chip pans and deep fat fryers; electrical equipment unless the label says it is tested to 35 kV |
| Black | Carbon dioxide (CO2) | Electrical equipment; Class B liquids | Chip pans; confined spaces where people stay |
| Blue | Dry powder (ABC) | Class A, B and C (gases), electrical | Small enclosed rooms, as the powder cloud reduces visibility and is hard to breathe |
| Yellow | Wet chemical | Class F: cooking oil and fat fires; also Class A | Electrical equipment |
Fire classes in the UK
- Class A: solid materials such as wood, paper, cardboard and fabric.
- Class B: flammable liquids such as petrol, solvents and paint.
- Class C: flammable gases such as propane and butane. Isolate the gas supply first.
- Class D: burning metals. Needs a specialist powder.
- Class F: cooking oils and fats.
- Electrical fires have no class letter in the UK; once the power is off, the fire is treated by what is burning.
Which extinguisher for an electrical fire?
CO2 (black label) is the usual choice for offices, server cupboards and workshops because it leaves no residue. Dry powder also works but makes a mess and should not be used in small rooms. Never use water.
Which extinguisher should you not use on a flammable liquid fire?
Water (red label). It spreads burning liquid. Use foam, CO2 or dry powder instead.
How many extinguishers do you need?
There is no single number in law. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires “appropriate” fire-fighting equipment, decided by your fire risk assessment. BS 5306-8 guidance, widely used by fire services, works on a minimum of two Class A extinguishers per floor (or one on very small floors), with nobody more than about 30 metres from one, plus CO2 near electrical risks and wet chemical in kitchens with fryers.
Checks and servicing
- Monthly: a quick visual check that each extinguisher is in place, the pin and seal are intact and the gauge (if fitted) is in the green. Record it in your fire safety log book.
- Yearly: a basic service by a competent person (BS 5306-3).
- Every 5 years: an extended service or discharge test for most types; CO2 every 10 years.
Put your extinguishers in your fire risk assessment. The free template asks where they are and which types you have, then adds anything missing to a dated action plan. Pro (£9/month) keeps the monthly checks in an online log book.
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What colour is a CO2 fire extinguisher?
A red body with a black band or label.
What colour is a foam extinguisher?
A red body with a cream band or label.
Do I need a fire blanket?
In a kitchen with small cooking fires, a fire blanket is a good addition. For commercial deep fat fryers, use a wet chemical extinguisher.
Checked against BS EN 3-7, BS 5306 and gov.uk fire safety guidance, October 2026. Related: fire alarm testing · fire door regulations.