Fire Extinguishers: A Guide for Businesses
As a business owner, you’ll already know it’s a legal requirement to have the right safety equipment in place to enable a safe evacuation in the event of a fire.
For most businesses, this means ensuring that suitable fire extinguishers are installed and maintained on-site.
However, UK fire extinguisher regulations can be confusing — especially as there are five main types of extinguisher, each designed for different classes of fire:
Water
Colour: Red
Used for: Class A fires — solid combustibles such as paper, card, wood, and fabric.
Common in offices, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities.
Powder
Colour: Blue
Used for: Most fires except oil-based fires. Effective on Class A (combustibles), Class B (liquids), Class C (gases), Class D (metals), and electrical fires such as computers or generators.
Foam
Colour: Cream
Used for: Class A (combustibles) and Class B (flammable liquids like paint, petrol, or solvents).
Typically used in garages, laboratories, and healthcare environments.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Colour: Black
Used for: Electrical fires. CO₂ extinguishers are ideal for both high- and low-voltage electrical systems, tackling fires started by faulty wiring, sockets, or overheating equipment.
Wet Chemical
Colour: Yellow
Used for: Class A and Class F fires — oil-based fires such as chip pans and deep fat fryers.
Essential for restaurants, catering facilities, and commercial kitchens.
It’s vital to understand these differences — using the wrong extinguisher type can make a fire worse, spread flames faster, and reduce evacuation time for staff and visitors.
What Type of Extinguisher Do I Need?
Every workplace has different fire risks. A professional fire risk assessment can identify the most suitable extinguishers for your premises based on layout, materials, and operations.
Who Can Use Fire Extinguishers?
Only trained personnel should use fire extinguishers. Incorrect use can worsen the situation or cause injury.
Consider forming a fire safety team trained in extinguisher use and emergency response procedures.
How Many Fire Extinguishers Do I Need?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you must have one fire extinguisher per 200m² of floor area, with a minimum of one per floor.
However, this is a baseline — higher-risk environments often require additional extinguishers.
Are Fire Extinguishers All I Need?
That depends on your building type, size, and fire risk.
For example, businesses with an open-plan, uncompartmented area over 2,000m² are legally required to have a
sprinkler system installed to meet fire safety standards.
What Else Should I Know?
Fire extinguishers must be:
- Installed at clearly visible, accessible fire points on every floor
- Regularly inspected for damage or tampering
- Serviced annually under BS 5306-6 by a qualified engineer
Regular servicing ensures extinguishers remain operational and ready to protect your business when needed.
For expert guidance on business fire safety and commercial sprinkler systems,
contact Eversafe Fire Protection —
based in Kent and serving clients nationwide.