Types of Fire Extinguishers and Their Uses
Different fires need different extinguishing agents — using the wrong type can be ineffective or, with electrical fires, dangerous. Here's a quick guide to what belongs where in your building.
ABC (Dry Chemical Powder)
The most common all-purpose extinguisher, effective on Class A (wood, paper, fabric), Class B (flammable liquids) and Class C (flammable gases) fires. A sensible default for general office areas, corridors and stairwells. Typically available in 2kg, 4kg, 6kg and 9kg cylinders.
CO2 Type
Discharges carbon dioxide gas, leaving no residue — the right choice for electrical panels, server rooms and areas with sensitive equipment where powder residue would cause more damage than the fire. Not recommended as the primary extinguisher for open Class A fires, since it has limited cooling effect on smouldering materials.
Water CO2 Type
Stored-pressure water extinguishers are effective on Class A fires — wood, paper, textiles — and suit general office space, lobbies and reception areas. Never use on electrical or flammable-liquid fires.
Mechanical Foam
AFFF (foam) extinguishers work on both Class A and Class B fires, making them a strong choice for warehouses, fuel storage areas and workshops where flammable liquids are present alongside ordinary combustibles.
Modular / Automatic Type
Ceiling-mounted units that self-activate when ambient heat crosses a threshold — useful for unattended electrical rooms, server racks or machine enclosures where no one may be present to respond manually.
A quick way to think about it
- General office / corridors → ABC or Water CO2
- Electrical panels / server rooms → CO2
- Warehouse / fuel storage → Foam or ABC
- Unattended electrical enclosures → Modular / Automatic
When in doubt, a site assessment is worth doing properly — the wrong extinguisher in the wrong place is a compliance gap and a real risk, not just a technicality.
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