Commercial Fire Extinguisher Range

At Barbon Fire Protection we offer the following portable fire extinguishers:

• Water Additive fire extinguishers
• Foam fire extinguisher
• Multi-chemical foam fire extinguishers
• ABC dry powder extinguishers

Each can be used in unique circumstances for class a fires, class b fires or class c fires.

Class a fires involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth and textiles. All of our extinguishers above should be suitable to class a fires, though some are more effective than others. Water, foam, multi-chemical foam and powder extinguishers can all be used on solid materials that are on fire, typically associated with class a fires. However, water extinguishers are usually the preferred method as it's most effective at smothering the fire and cooling at the same time.

Class b fires are fires involving flammable liquids or combustible liquids such as petrol, oil, paint and solvents. The most effective fire safety equipment here is usually a foam extinguisher - regular or multi-chemical - as they're designed specifically to smother the fire and cut off oxygen. Dry powder extinguishers are also suitable here as they soak up the flammable liquid whilst extinguishing the flames. Water based extinguishers aren't suitable, especially in commercial kitchens where oil fires are possible.

Class c fires are rarer in commercial settings but are still a real risk in some industrial settings. These are fires involving flammable gases such as LPG, methane and propane. Water and foam based fire extinguishers should NEVER be used for class c fires because they're ineffective. Instead opt for powder extinguishers such as our ABC dry powder extinguisher designed for all three fire types.

Proper fire protection where flammable liquids are present requires foam or powder extinguishers. Having the right fire fighting equipment is important, because wet chemical extinguishers (water based) can actually further increase fire risks. If you're fighting flammable liquid fires, remember foam or powder is best!

That depends on the size of your premises and the unique fire challenges you're likely to face. You'll need to know where your greatest risks of fire are and ensure there is an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby. The best way to know is to have a thorough fire risk assessment carried out, and recommendations around the number, type, and placement of fire extinguishers will be given.

Thankfully fires at commercial premises aren't too common in the UK. But there are business premises that are more at risk - typically industrial premises like factories and warehouses, food and drink premises with commercial kitchens and retail premises such as shops and supermarkets. Because of this, the most common fires found in UK businesses are due to faulty electrical equipment, cooking oil fires, careless disposal of smoking material and poor storage of flammable materials and hazardous substances.

Yes, all businesses, regardless of size, require commercial fire extinguishers if there's a genuine risk of fire.

Yes. It is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.