Fire extinguishers are the first thing that comes to mind when you think about firefighting. They are a common sight in commercial buildings, shopping malls and other public places at risk of fire. You’ll often find two or more fire extinguishers on the same premises. However, if you observe closely, you’ll find they have different coloured labels.
So what exactly do these different labels mean, and why do buildings need different fire extinguisher colours and types?
The answer is not as simple as you might think. Depending on the cause of the fire, there are different types of fires and corresponding fire extinguisher colours. Let’s have a look at the five main types:
Red Labelled Fire Extinguishers
The most common type of fire extinguishers, i.e. the water fire extinguishers, are labelled red. They are primarily used for Type A fires caused by flammable solids like paper, fabrics, wood, etc. There are two types of water extinguishers – Water Spray and Water Mist. Water fire extinguishers are not suitable for fires caused by electrical equipment. They are ideally placed at a distance of approximately 3000 square feet with a maximum travel distance of 75 feet.
Cream Labelled Fire Extinguishers
Cream labelled fire extinguishers are foam extinguishers that work by cutting off oxygen and smothering the fire. They are mainly used for Class A and Class B fires caused by flammable liquids like fuel, natural gas, etc. Foam extinguishers are not suitable for fires caused by electrical equipment. They generally have a maximum travel distance of 50 feet between them.
Blue Labelled Fire Extinguishers
Dry powder extinguishers are labelled blue. Their fire fighting mechanism is similar to foam extinguishers as they smother the fire by cutting off oxygen. They are used for Class A, B, and C fires, but unlike water and foam extinguishers, they can be used to fight Electrical fires.
Black Labelled Fire Extinguishers
Black labelled fire extinguishers are CO2 extinguishers that come with a cone-shaped nozzle. It works by replacing oxygen around the fire with CO2 and preventing combustion. CO2 fire extinguishers are especially suited for fighting electrical fires and some Class B fires.
Yellow Labelled Fire Extinguishers
Lastly, the yellow labelled fire extinguishers are wet chemical extinguishers. These work by making combustible oils non-combustible through a chemical reaction. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are used for Class F fires caused by cooking oils and fats. They are not suitable to be used against other types of fires and are generally placed at a maximum distance of 30 feet from each other.
It is essential for business owners to ensure that their premises have the necessary fire extinguishers in working order at all times. LNS Fire and Security has been helping large and small businesses in and around Leicestershire secure their premises with relevant fire safety solutions, including installation, and maintenance of different types of fire extinguishers. You can visit our website or contact us on 0116 224 3478 to learn more about our fire safety installation, maintenance, and training services.