Coding : Fire Extinguishers UK

Fire Extinguishers : Codes UK

Red : Water

Suitability
Wood, Cloth, Paper, some Plastics, Coal, People. Fires involving solids

Dangers
Not to be used on burning fat or oil or on electrical appliances

Method of Use
Point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that all areas of the fire are out.

Theory
The water takes away the heat of the fire by cooling the burning material

Blue : Multi-Purpose
dry powder

Suitability
Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal, Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol.

Dangers
The powder is not good at getting into tiny spaces in electrical equipment easily so the the fire may re-ignite.
Not to be used on chip pan fires.

Method of Use
Point the nozzle at the base of the flames and, with a quick sweeping motion, drive the fire away from you until all the flames are out.

Theory
As well as knocking down flames, on burning solids it melts to form a layer or skin that smothers the fire.

Blue : Standard
dry powder

Suitability
Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal, Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol.

Dangers
The powder is not good at getting into tiny spaces in electrical equipment easily so the the fire may re-ignite.
Not to be used on chip pan fires.

Method of Use
Point the nozzle at the base of the flames and, with a quick sweeping motion, drive the fire away from you until all the flames are out.

Theory
Knocks down flames.

Cream AFFF (Aqueous film-forming foam) (multi-purpose)

Suitability
Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal, Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol.

Dangers
Not to be used on chip pan fires.

Method of Use
For fires involving solids, point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that all areas of the fire are out.

Do not aim the jet straight into the liquid.
Where the liquid on fire is in a container, point the jet at the inside edge of the container or on a nearby surface above the burning liquid.
Allow the foam to build up and flow across the liquid.

Theory
Forms a fire extinguishing film on the surface of a burning liquid. Has a cooling action with a wider extinguishing application than water on solid combustible materials.

Cream : Foam

Suitability
Limited number of liquid fires.

Dangers
Do not use on chip pan fires. Check manufacturer's instructions for suitability of use on other fires involving liquids.

These extinguishers are not recommended for home use.

Method of Use
Do not aim jet straight into the liquid. Where the liquid on fire is in a container, point the jet at a surface nearby the burning liquid. Allow the foam to build up and run across the liquid.

Theory
Forms a fire extinguishing film on the surface of a burning liquid. Has a cooling action with a wider extinguishing application than water on solid combustible materials.

Black : Carbon Dioxide Co2

Suitability
Liquids such as grease, fats, oil paint, petrol etc. but not on chip pan fires.

Dangers
Do not use on chip pan fires.

This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and you need to watch that the fire does not start up again.

Fumes from CO2 extinguishers can be harmful if used in confined spaces: ventilate the area as soon as the fire has been controlled.

These extinguishers are generally not recommended for home use.

Method of Use
The discharge horn should be directed at the base of the flames and the jet kept moving across the area of the fire.

Theory
Vaporizing liquid gas which smothers the flames by displacing oxygen in the air.

Fire Blanket

Suitability
Fires involving solids & liquids. Excellent for small fires on clothing and for chip and fat pan fires

Dangers The blanket must completely cover the fire or it will not be extinguished.

Method of Use
Place carefully over the fire. Keep your hands away from the fire. Place the blanket down away from you.

Theory
Smothers the fire