Types of fire extinguishers and what each one is for
Fire extinguishers (ගිනි නිවන උපකරණ) are not all the same. Each type is made for certain fires, and the wrong one can make a fire worse.
Choose by what could burn. Dry powder (ABC) covers most fires in homes, shops and vehicles. CO2 is for electrical equipment and computers, and leaves no residue. Wet chemical is for cooking oil, and a fire blanket smothers a small pan fire. Water and foam suit paper, wood and cloth. Never put water on an electrical fire or burning oil.
Fire classes: what is burning?
- Class A: solids such as wood, paper, cloth and most plastics.
- Class B: flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, kerosene and paint.
- Class C: flammable gases, such as LP gas. Shut off the gas first if it is safe to: putting out the flame while gas keeps leaking can cause an explosion.
- Class D: burning metals, such as magnesium or aluminium dust. They need a special powder; water and ordinary extinguishers can make them worse.
- Class F: cooking oil and fat in a pan or fryer.
- Electrical: fires in live equipment such as switchboards, computers and generators. Switch off at the mains first if it is safe to.
The main types at a glance
| Type | Usual colour band | Use it on | Don't use it on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | All red | Class A | Electrical equipment, oil, fuel |
| Foam | Cream | Class A and B | Cooking oil; live electrical equipment, unless the label allows it |
| CO2 | Black | Class B and electrical equipment | Cooking oil; deep fires in wood or paper (they can flare up again) |
| Dry powder (ABC) | Blue | Class A, B, C and electrical equipment | Cooking oil. Avoid it in small closed rooms if you can: the powder cloud blocks your view |
| Wet chemical | Yellow | Class F | Live electrical equipment |
| Fire blanket | None | Small pan fires | Anything bigger than a pan |
The bands above follow the common UK scheme, but colour coding varies by brand and standard. Many extinguishers have a red body with a coloured band; some are all red. Always check the type on the label.
Halon extinguishers are banned from import in Sri Lanka. If an old one is still on your wall, ask us about a replacement.
Which extinguisher for which place
- Home kitchen: a fire blanket within reach of the cooker (not right above it) for pan fires. A small dry powder (ABC) or CO2 extinguisher by the kitchen door is for electrical and other fires, never for burning oil: use the blanket on the pan.
- Car, van or three-wheeler: a small dry powder (ABC) extinguisher in a bracket the driver can reach. It covers fuel, plastics and wiring.
- Shop or office with computers: CO2 by the computers and the switchboard, plus water, foam or dry powder for paper and stock.
- Restaurant kitchen: wet chemical by the fryers, a fire blanket by the cooking line, and CO2 for the electrical equipment.
- Hotel, guest house or boutique villa: water or foam in corridors, CO2 at reception and the electrics, and the restaurant-kitchen set-up above in any kitchen. SLTDA asks for a Certificate of Fire Protection when you register and at every yearly licence renewal.
- Workshop or factory: dry powder or foam where fuel, oil or solvents are used, CO2 at panels and machines, and Class D powder if you grind metals such as magnesium.
- Generator room: CO2 or dry powder, never water. Mount it by the door, so you never pass the fire to reach it.
How many do you need?
In Colombo, for example, the Municipal Council's trade-licence rule asks for one first-aid fire extinguisher for every 210 m² of floor area. Galle and other councils set their own rules, so ask your local council's fire service. Tell us the place and what is in it, and we'll recommend the types and sizes that fit. Confirmed prices are on our prices page.
How to read the label
- Type: water, foam, CO2, dry powder (DCP or ABC) or wet chemical. This matters more than the colour.
- Fire classes: letters and small pictures. A crossed-out picture means don't use it on that fire. On American labels, Class C means electrical.
- Size: kg of contents, or litres for water and foam.
- Pressure gauge: the needle should sit in the green. Most CO2 extinguishers have no gauge and are checked by weight.
- Service tag: the date of the last service. If the tag is missing or the date is old, have it serviced. If the extinguisher has been used, even a little, it needs refilling.
How to use it: the PASS method
Pull
Pull out the pin. Stand a few metres back, with your way out behind you.
Aim
Aim low, at the base of the fire (for burning cooking oil, see below). On CO2, hold the handle, never the horn: it gets cold enough to burn.
Squeeze
Squeeze the handle evenly. Small extinguishers empty fast.
Sweep
Sweep side to side until the fire is out, and watch in case it flares up again.
Burning cooking oil is different
Turn off the heat if you safely can. For a small pan, use a fire blanket. With a wet chemical extinguisher, hold the lance about a metre away and apply it slowly and gently over the surface of the oil. Never blast it into the pan or fryer, and never use water or CO2 on burning oil.
If the fire is spreading, get out
Fight only a small fire, with the right extinguisher and a clear exit. If it is spreading, the room is filling with smoke or the extinguisher runs out, get everyone out, close the door and call the fire brigade on 110. SafeZone Fire Company is a private company, not the fire brigade.
PASS is easier to remember once you have seen it done. Our fire safety training walks your staff through it.
Common questions
Can I use water or CO2 on a cooking oil fire?
No. Water makes burning oil burst out of the pan, and the blast from CO2 can spread it. Turn off the heat if it is safe to, then use a fire blanket or wet chemical extinguisher.
What colour is a CO2 fire extinguisher?
Often red with a black band, a wide horn and no gauge. Colours vary by brand, so read the type on the label.
Does an extinguisher need refilling if I only used a little?
Yes. Refill any extinguisher after use, even partial use, or it may fail next time. WhatsApp us the type and size from the label for a price.
Not sure which type you need?
- 076 979 7866 (Call)
- WhatsApp 076 979 7866
- [email protected]
- 159/Bokkaramullagoda, Uluvitika, Galle
- Reg. No. 261023028
Updated: 27 October 2026