What Do The Different Fire Extinguisher Colours Mean?

In an emergency, recognising one detail could be the difference between stopping a small fire and making the situation far worse.

Although all fire extinguishers today look almost identical at first sight, their colours have a precise code about how each one works and understanding and following that code is vital.

Understanding what each colour means is essential knowledge to make workplaces and homes safer. Otherwise, people would be putting out cooking oil fires using foam extinguishers - a huge no-no.

For reference:

• Red label fire extinguishers are water based

• Cream label fire extinguishers are foam

• Blue label fire extinguishers are dry powder

• Black label fire extinguishers are carbon dioxide 

• Yellow label fire extinguishers are wet chemical

We’ll explore all of that and more in greater depth below.

The Different Fire Extinguisher Colours Explained

Here’s something you probably didn’t know: In the UK, fire extinguishers have only been red since 1997.

Before 1997, the extinguishers came in different full-body colours, like blue, black, cream, and green.

Naturally, this made workplaces look messy and stalled people during emergencies because they had to assume the colour-indicated function.

Thankfully, in 1997, the BS EN3 standard was introduced, demanding that all fire extinguishers be red with a small colour band to show the type.

This was mainly done because the EU standardisation ensured consistency across countries, so training became easier. 

Here are all the different band colours and what they mean in the UK:

1. Red Label: Water

If the fire extinguisher is entirely red, like our FireShield water based fire extinguisher, this means it should be used for fires involving wood, paper, and fabrics. It contains water, so it works by cooling down the burning material below its ignition temperature. By soaking the material, it stops re-ignition.

Of course, since this one is water-based, it can’t be used on fires caused by cooking oils, flammable liquids or electrical fires.

2. Cream Label: Foam

Extinguishers with a cream label should be used for flammable liquids like petrol or paint, and for solid combustibles. 

Here’s how Foam Fire Extinguishers work: the foam creates a blanket over the burning liquid, blocking oxygen and preventing vapour release. It also cools the surface below, effectively halting the fire and stopping it from spreading.

Foam extinguishers shouldn’t be used for flammable gas fires or fryer fires.

3. Blue Label: Dry Powder

Dry powder extinguishers are highly versatile and can be used for solids, liquids, gases, electrical fires, and even metals. 

The way they work, the powder particles disrupt the chemical chain reaction that keeps the fire burning, and they coat the burning material, blocking oxygen. 

The best thing about these extinguishers is that they work rapidly.

Their only drawback is that they shouldn’t be used indoors unless necessary because they cause breathing issues. It’s also not recommended to use them on deep fryers because they can splash oil which can cause injuries easily.

4. Black Label: Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are usually used for electrical fires and flammable liquids. The carbon dioxide comes out extremely cold, displacing the oxygen around the fire and helping cool the surface.

It also leaves no residue, so it’s safe for electronics.

These extinguishers shouldn’t be used in small, enclosed spaces because there’s always the risk of carbon dioxide buildup. On top of that, they won’t cool solid materials so should never be used on burning objects.

5. Yellow Label: Wet Chemical

Yellow label extinguishers are very effective for high temperature fires, which is what they’re used for - especially fires caused by cooking oils, deep fryers, etc.

These extinguishers create a reaction called saponification, in which the alkaline solution reacts with the hot oil, forming a soapy foam layer on the top.

This layer cools the oil and prevents re-ignition.

The thing is, these extinguishers are used exclusively for kitchen fires. They’re not recommended for most other types.

Here’s a summary table of every colour and what it does:

Explaining Fire Classes

Before we move on to the best extinguisher types for home use, here’s a quick preview of fire classes and what they indicate:

• Class A: Solid combustibles, like wood, paper, cardboard, and cloth.

• Class B: Flammable liquids, like petrol, diesel, oil-based paints, and solvents.

• Class C: Flammable gases, like propane, butane, and LPG leaks.

• Class D: Metals, like magnesium, sodium, and aluminium dust. Mostly industrial only.

• Class E: Not officially a “class” anymore, but refers to energised electrical equipment.

• Class F: Cooking oils and fats. Mostly kitchen fires at high temperatures.

Which Fire Extinguishers Are Best for Business Use?

A fire extinguisher for commercial use should be simple and practical rather than industrial and complicated. It should also be versatile enough to cover most fires that typically erupt in business spaces.

Here are our recommendations:

Dry Powder (Blue Band)

Dry powder extinguishers cover most common commercial fire types, including class A, B, C, and electrical fires. They’re good for kitchens in business premises, which are always the places with the highest potential for fires.

The drawback to these extinguishers is that they leave residue behind and produce a lot of dust. While many people won’t appreciate the mess, they’ll have done their job putting out the fire - extinguishing flames as quickly as possible is the key to a good fire evacuation plan - you can concern yourself with the clean up afterwards.

Foam Extinguisher (Cream Band)

Foam extinguishers are mostly good for use in office spaces. They’re less messy than powder, but that also means they cover fewer fire types. They can put out class A and class B fires, which, in other words, are fires involving liquids or most solid objects and materials.

You can get a foam extinguisher for your business from Barbon. It’s available in different capacities according to your usage so take a look at our foam extinguisher to see what suits you best.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher (Black Band)

Carbon dioxide extinguishers leave no residue, but they may cause gas buildup. That’s why it’s recommended to air out the space well after using them.

These extinguishers are the best option for electrical fires, which are the most dangerous and often the most fatal type. These fires could start anywhere in a business, whether from kitchen appliances or something as small as a computer on your office desk. Having a carbon dioxide extinguisher is key for most office spaces.

Wet Chemical (Yellow Band)

Wet chemical extinguishers aren’t versatile, but they’re essential if you have a deep fryer in commercial kitchens.

They’re designed for Class F fires, which involve cooking oils.

The Ideal Setup for Fire Extinguishers for Most Businesses*

*We say most businesses because there will be unique needs for certain businesses. The best way to find out which fire extinguisher you need is by booking a commercial fire risk assessment from our team - we’ll inspect your business and its needs and let you know exactly what you’re missing!

As you can see, there isn’t a single fire extinguisher type that covers all fires. So, the ideal business setup would usually be to have two extinguishers at hand, depending on what risks you face.

But which combo should you go for? Here are our go-to choices:

Combo 1: Dry Powder and CO₂

The dry powder extinguisher is suitable for most office fires without electrics, while the CO₂ extinguishers are for electrical fires. That way, you’re protected from the majority of fires that can start in a standard business environment.

Combo 2: Foam and Wet Chemical

The foam extinguisher is suitable for most business spaces, while the wet chemical extinguisher is designed for use in commercial kitchens. This combo makes sense if you’re working in a restaurant or the hospitality sector where commercial kitchen fires are possible.

If you’re not sure what extinguishers your house needs, you can always book a fire risk assessment through Barbon Fire Protection. This will help you learn about the potential fire hazards in your business and make sure you’re legally compliant with all fire safety regulations and advice. You’ll then know which extinguishers would make the most sense to get.

Final Thoughts

The colours on fire extinguishers aren’t decorative. They’re a quick visual system to demonstrate how each extinguisher tackles fires and which types it’s built for.

While water cools, foam creates a blanket over the fire. Meanwhile, CO₂ displaces oxygen, and wet chemical extinguishers neutralise burning oils - all very different functions designed to fight different fire types effectively.

Knowing the difference allows you to act decisively during an emergency to avoid the serious consequences of using the wrong agent at your commercial premises.