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Portable fire extinguishers are only designed to be used to tackle fire in its very early stages, and you should ensure that the fire and rescue service has been called. A fire should not be tackled if it has started to spread to other items in the room or if the room is filling with smoke. If you cannot put out a fire or the fire extinguisher becomes empty move away from the fire closing any doors behind you.
All new fire extinguishers should comply with BS EN3: 1996. This requires them to be coloured red with a zone of colour, which indicates the contents.
Extinguishers manufactured prior to this date should conform to BS 5423: 1987 and these are still acceptable until such time as they are replaced.
Choose extinguishers that carry a kite mark or the special British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) mark. A list of approved companies who supply equipment can be obtained from BAFE.
Portable fire extinguishers can be categorised by their contents. This may make them particularly suitable for use on a particular type of fire and dangerous on others. Portable fire extinguishers must never be used on oil or fat pan fires in the home as the jet from the extinguisher may force burning fat out of the pan. A fire blanket is recommended for this type of fire.
Portable fire extinguishers should be affixed to a wall at a convenient height, on escape routes or outside living areas and close to specific risks as well as out of reach of children.
Fire Blankets should conform to BS 6575. Some are designed to be thrown away after use or used again after laundering, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some Handy Hints
- Don’t put yourself in danger and always keep yourself between the fire and the exit
- Don’t place extinguishers over cookers, heaters or places of extreme heat
- Do read the instructions
- Do recharge the extinguisher if fully of partially discharged
- Do service properly once a year or in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
Standard or Multi Purpose
| Colour |
Application |
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Safe for general use. Multi-purpose powders have a wider range of application and are more effective in impeding and smothering fire. |
| Dangers |
Fires which appear to be out can re-ignite. Unable to ‘flow’ into small enclosed spaces, electrical switchgear or penetrate deep seated fires in solids.
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| Use |
Aim jet at base of flames and use with brisk weeping motion. Repeat until out.
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Water
| Colour |
Application |
 |
For use only on solids such as wood, paper, cloth etc. Not suitable for ‘liquid fires’ or live electricity. |
| Dangers |
Capable of conducting electrical current back to operator. Will markedly worsen fires in liquids, greases, etc. |
| Use |
Aim jet at base of flames and move across the area of fire until it is out.
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Foam or AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam).
| Colour |
Application |
 |
Conventional foams are not practical for home use. Multi-purpose ‘AFFF’, however, is extremely effective in all ways and is suitable for general use. |
| Dangers |
‘Jet’ foams may conduct electrical current back to the operator. ‘Spray’ foams, however, are much less prone to this risk. |
| Use |
For liquids: aim foam at a vertical surface (or inside edge of container) and allow to flow over surface. For solids see ‘water’ above.
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Carbon Dioxide - C02.
| Colour |
Application |
 |
Not recommended for home use, but are quite effective and can be used on all domestic fire types. Smothers by replacing oxygen. |
| Dangers |
Offers little cooling and can be displaced by draughts: these effects can lead to re-ignition. Poses an asphixiant risk by replacing air/oxygen. Early ventilation is required after extinction. Noise from discharge horn can cause concern to operator.
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| Use |
Direct gas stream from discharge horn at base of flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. |
Halon(s) - Vapourising Liquids.
| Colour |
Application |
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Not recommended for home use, but will knock fire down quickly (by chemical interaction and smothering) and can be used in all domestic fire types. |
| Dangers |
Shares some dangers of CO2 but fumes can also be toxic in confined spaces or of used on hot metal surfaces. The ozone depleting potential of Halons has further discouraged their use.
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| Use |
Direct vapour jet into the flames and then gradually lower the jet – taking care not to spread burning materials.
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