Fire extinguisher types and signage

Fire Safety Guide

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Not all fires are the same, and using the wrong extinguisher can make things worse. Here's a guide to which extinguisher to use and when.

Quick Reference Chart

ABE Dry Chemical Powder
ABE Dry Chemical PowderWhite with red band
A
B
C
D
E
F
BE Dry Chemical Powder
BE Dry Chemical PowderWhite with red band
A
B
C
D
E
F
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Red with black band
A
B
C
D
E
F
Water
WaterRed with plain red band
A
B
C
D
E
F
Foam (AFFF)
Foam (AFFF)Red with blue band
A
B
C
D
E
F
Wet Chemical
Wet ChemicalRed with oatmeal band
A
B
C
D
E
F
Class D (Metal Fire)
Class D (Metal Fire)Red with yellow band
A
B
C
D
E
F
Suitable Not suitable Limited

Extinguisher Types Explained

ABE Dry Chemical Powder

ABE Dry Chemical Powder

White with red band

The most common and versatile extinguisher in Australia. Suitable for most fire types found in offices, workshops, warehouses, and vehicles. The powder smothers the fire and interrupts the chemical reaction. Leaves a residue that requires cleanup.

Best for:

General purpose — offices, workshops, warehouses, vehicles, plant rooms

Class AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass F
BE Dry Chemical Powder

BE Dry Chemical Powder

White with red band

Specialist powder extinguisher for flammable liquid and gas fires where Class A (wood, paper) fires are not the primary risk. Common in fuel storage areas, paint booths, and gas installations.

Best for:

Fuel storage, paint shops, gas installations, chemical handling areas

Class AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass F
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Red with black band

Displaces oxygen to smother fires. Leaves no residue, making it ideal for server rooms, switchboards, and sensitive electrical equipment. Not suitable for outdoor use as the gas disperses quickly. Suitable only for small fires.

Best for:

Server rooms, switchboards, electrical panels, laboratories, clean rooms

Generally not suitable for outdoor fires. Suitable only for small fires.

Class AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass F
Water

Water

Red with plain red band

Cools the fire by removing heat. Only suitable for Class A fires involving ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, and textiles. Must never be used on electrical, liquid, or cooking oil fires.

Best for:

Paper storage, textile areas, libraries, heritage buildings

Dangerous if used on flammable liquid, energised electrical equipment and cooking oil/fat fires.

Class AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass F
Foam (AFFF)

Foam (AFFF)

Red with blue band

Creates a foam blanket that smothers the fire and prevents re-ignition. Effective on flammable liquid spills and Class A fires. The foam seals the surface of burning liquids to cut off oxygen supply.

Best for:

Fuel storage, loading docks, workshops, car parks, marine

Dangerous if used on energised electrical equipment.

Class AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass F
Wet Chemical

Wet Chemical

Red with oatmeal band

Specifically designed for commercial kitchen fires involving cooking oils and fats. The wet chemical agent reacts with hot oil to form a soapy layer (saponification) that seals the surface and prevents re-ignition. Required in all commercial kitchens.

Best for:

Commercial kitchens, restaurants, food courts, cafeterias, takeaway shops

Dangerous if used on energised electrical equipment.

Class AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass F
Class D (Metal Fire)

Class D (Metal Fire)

Red with yellow band

Specialist extinguisher for combustible metal fires — magnesium, aluminium, titanium, sodium, and lithium. Uses a special dry powder agent that smothers the metal fire without reacting with it. Not interchangeable with other extinguisher types.

Best for:

Foundries, machining workshops, laboratories, metal recycling, aerospace manufacturing

Only for Class D metal fires. Do not use on any other fire class.

Class AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass F

Extinguisher selection should be based on the fire risks specific to your premises. Australian Standard AS 2444 provides guidance on the selection and placement of portable fire extinguishers. Our team can assess your site and recommend the right equipment — get in touch for a free assessment.

EFS team walking on site

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