The Complete Guide to Fire Extinguishers. Types, Colour Codes, and How to Use Them

Getting your fire extinguishers right matters more than most workplaces realise, and it's not just about ticking a compliance box. Grab the wrong type in an emergency, and you can make a bad situation considerably worse. Use a water extinguisher on a flaming deep fryer, for instance, and you'll cause a violent oil eruption rather than stop a fire.

This guide runs through everything you need to know, the different types of fire extinguishers available in Australia, what the colour codes mean, which extinguisher is right for which fire class, and the correct technique for using one safely and effectively.

What Is a Fire Extinguisher and Why Does It Matter?

A fire extinguisher is a portable, pressurised device designed to suppress small fires before they escalate. Used correctly in the early stages of a fire, an extinguisher can protect lives, limit property damage, and buy time for evacuation.

Under Australian workplace health and safety law, commercial and industrial premises are required to have appropriate extinguishers installed, maintained, and accessible. "Appropriate" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. The type of extinguisher has to match the fire risks actually present at your site, having a box ticked on paper is not the same as being prepared.

Understanding Australian Fire Classes

Fire extinguishers in Australia are rated against specific fire classes. Understanding these classes is essential for selecting the right extinguisher for your site:

• Class A: Ordinary combustibles: wood, paper, textiles, rubber, plastics
• Class B: Flammable liquids: petrol, oil, paint, solvents
• Class C: Flammable gases: LPG, acetylene, natural gas
• Class D: Combustible metals: magnesium, titanium, potassium
• Class E: Electrical equipment: switchboards, motors, appliances (note: not a fire class itself, but used to indicate electrical suitability)
• Class F: Cooking oils and fats: deep fryers, commercial kitchen ranges

It's worth noting that Class D fires are relatively rare in most workplaces. Class F, however, catches commercial kitchens off guard more often than it should

Fire Extinguisher Colour Codes in Australia

All fire extinguishers in Australia have a red cylinder body, only the coloured band changes, and that band tells you what's inside. Understanding the colour system is the fastest way to grab the right one under pressure.

Always check the identification sign and label on the extinguisher before use to confirm it is appropriate for the fire class you are dealing with. Australian Standard AS2444 governs the selection, placement, and signage requirements for portable fire extinguishers.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Water Fire Extinguishers (Red Band)

Water extinguishers are effective against Class A fires, those involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth. They work by cooling the burning material and reducing the heat below the ignition point.

They should never be used on electrical fires, flammable liquid fires, or cooking oil fires. Water conducts electricity and can cause oil fires to spread rapidly.

Best for: offices, retail spaces, schools, and residential buildings.

ABE Dry Chemical Powder Extinguishers (Blue Band)

ABE powder extinguishers are one of the most versatile types available, suitable for Class A, B, C, and electrical (E) fires. The dry chemical agent works by interrupting the chemical chain reaction of combustion and starving the fire of fuel.

Key advantages include their broad coverage across multiple fire classes and their effectiveness outdoors where wind can disperse other agents. However, the powder is messy, can reduce visibility, and causes corrosion if not cleaned up promptly. ABE extinguishers are not recommended for use in enclosed indoor spaces such as server rooms or archives where residue damage is a concern.

Best for: construction sites, vehicles, outdoor environments, warehouses, and general industrial use.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers (Black Band)

CO2 extinguishers are designed for Class B flammable liquid fires and electrical fires. They work by displacing the oxygen around the fire, effectively suffocating the flame. Because CO2 is a gas that dissipates cleanly, these extinguishers leave no residue, making them the preferred choice for environments where equipment damage must be minimised.

Important considerations when using CO2 extinguishers:

• They have a relatively short discharge range of approximately 1-3 metres
• They discharge rapidly, typically within 30-60 seconds
• The nozzle becomes extremely cold during discharge; do not touch the horn
• CO2 does not provide a cooling effect, so re-ignition is possible if the fuel source remains hot

Best for: server rooms, data centres, laboratories, offices with electrical equipment, and light industrial environments.

Foam Extinguishers (Cream or Beige Band)

Foam extinguishers are effective against Class A and Class B fires. They work by forming a film over the surface of a burning liquid, cutting off the oxygen supply and preventing re-ignition. Unlike water extinguishers, foam provides a smothering blanket effect that helps prevent flammable liquids from reigniting.

They are not suitable for electrical fires or cooking oil fires. Modern fluorine-free foam formulations are increasingly available for environments where environmental impact is a concern.

Best for: warehouses, fuel storage areas, and sites where flammable liquids are handled alongside ordinary combustibles.

Wet Chemical Extinguishers (Oatmeal or Yellow Band)

Wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, the type of fire most likely to occur in commercial kitchen environments. When discharged, the wet chemical agent reacts with burning oil to form a soapy foam layer that seals the surface and prevents re-ignition.

They are also effective on Class A fires, but should not be used on electrical equipment. Using a standard extinguisher on a deep fryer fire can cause a violent explosion of burning oil - wet chemical extinguishers are specifically engineered to avoid this.

Best for: commercial kitchens, food manufacturing facilities, and catering environments

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

The PASS method is the standard technique for operating a fire extinguisher. It is endorsed by fire safety authorities across Australia and internationally, and should be part of every fire safety induction.

PASS stands for:

• Pull - Pull the safety pin to break the tamper seal and unlock the operating lever
• Aim - Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire, not at the flames themselves
• Squeeze - Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent
• Sweep - Sweep the nozzle from side to side, covering the base of the fire until it is fully extinguished

Before attempting to use a fire extinguisher, always:

1. Confirm the fire is small and contained - extinguishers are not designed for large or spreading fires
2. Ensure you have a clear exit route behind you
3. Verify the extinguisher type is appropriate for the fire class
4. Check the pressure gauge shows green (indicating the extinguisher is charged and ready)
5. Ensure the safety pin and tamper seal are intact

If the fire does not begin to diminish after the first discharge, do not continue. Evacuate immediately and contact emergency services.

Type-Specific Usage Tips

CO2 extinguishers: Direct the horn at the base of the fire and squeeze. Do not touch the metal horn during discharge, it reaches extremely low temperatures. CO2 extinguishers discharge rapidly, so act quickly and decisively.

ABE powder extinguishers: For solid fuel fires, aim at the base of the flames. For liquid fires, aim at the nearest edge and sweep inward. Be aware that the powder cloud will reduce visibility. Have an exit route planned before you begin.

Wet chemical extinguishers: Hold the lance at arm's length above the fire. Apply the agent in a slow, circular motion. Never aim directly into the cooking oil - the circular application creates the foam seal needed to prevent re-ignition.

Foam extinguishers: For liquid fires, do not aim directly at the liquid. Aim at a vertical surface above the fire or use a bouncing technique to allow the foam to settle gently over the surface.

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance & Inspection

An extinguisher that has not been maintained is not a reliable safety tool. Australian Standard AS1851 outlines the routine service requirements for fire extinguishers in commercial and industrial environments.

At a minimum, fire extinguishers should be:

• Inspected monthly by a designated staff member - check the pressure gauge, tamper seal, pin, hose, and label
• Serviced annually by a licensed fire protection technician
• Pressure tested (hydrotested) every five years
• Replaced or overhauled in accordance with manufacturer and AS1851 requirements

Monthly inspection checklist:

1. Pressure gauge is in the green zone
2. Safety pin is intact and the tamper seal is unbroken
3. Nozzle or hose is unobstructed and undamaged
4. No visible corrosion, dents, or damage to the cylinder
5. Extinguisher is mounted in its designated location and is unobstructed
6. Signage above the extinguisher is in place and visible

Any extinguisher that has been discharged (even partially) must be recharged or replaced immediately. A partially discharged extinguisher will not provide full protection in an emergency.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher

The right extinguisher depends on the specific fire risks present in your environment. A single site may require multiple types of extinguishers to cover all risk areas adequately.

• Construction sites - ABE powder extinguishers are generally the most practical choice given the range of fire risks and outdoor conditions. Supplement with CO2 extinguishers in areas where electrical equipment is in use.
• Commercial offices - CO2 extinguishers near electrical equipment; water or foam for general areas
• Industrial and manufacturing - Assess the specific hazards present; a combination of ABE, CO2, and foam is common
• Commercial kitchens - Wet chemical extinguishers are required; supplement with ABE or CO2 in adjacent areas
• Warehouses storing flammable liquids - Foam and ABE extinguishers; CO2 near electrical panels

A licensed fire protection specialist can conduct a fire risk assessment and recommend the correct type, size, and placement of extinguishers for your specific site.

Fire Extinguisher Signage Requirements

Under AS2444, every fire extinguisher must be accompanied by compliant identification signage. Signage must be mounted above the extinguisher at a height of 2–2.5 metres and must clearly identify the extinguisher type and the fire classes it is suitable for.

In complex environments such as construction sites and industrial facilities, clear signage ensures workers can identify and access the correct extinguisher quickly - even in high-pressure emergency conditions.

See our range of fire extinguisher signs and identification kits

Summary

Fire extinguishers are a critical first line of defence in any fire emergency. Understanding the different types, knowing what the colour codes mean, and being trained in the correct PASS technique ensures that your team is genuinely prepared - not just compliant on paper.

Checkpoint Group supplies a full range of fire extinguishers, identification signs, and fire safety equipment for construction, industrial, commercial, and architectural environments across Australia, including Commander extinguishers built to Australian Standards for real worksite conditions.

Our range includes Commander fire extinguishers built to Australian Standards and suited to the demanding conditions of real worksites.

Browse our fire extinguisher range