Fire Extinguisher Band Colours: What Do They Mean?

Not all fires are equal – some chemicals are more efficient at putting out certain types of fires

Where combustible substances vary in your office or workplace, so should the contents of your fire extinguishers. Knowing fire extinguisher colour codes are important to safety and wellbeing. It can be the difference between completely putting out a fire or causing further damage to property and possible harm to people. You can locate the colour code of your fire extinguisher on the band around the cylinder. The different colour codes are as follows:

No Band 

Contents:

Water

How it works:

Commonly known as Stored Pressure Water, water extinguishers are excellent at putting out normal fires caused by wood, paper and fabric. Being common distilled water, they won’t leave behind any chemical residue.

Suitable for:

• Class A Fires – involving natural combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, plastic or rubber products

Not suitable for:

• Class B Fires – involving combustible liquids such as oil, petrol and solvents
• Class C Fires – involving combustible gases like LPG, Natural gas or acetylene
• Class D Fires – involving combustible metals like aluminium shavings or magnesium
• Class E Fires – where the ignition source contains electrical equipment such as motors, switchboards and electrical appliances. NEVER use on live electrical equipment
• Class F Fires – involving cooking oils and fats

Black Band

Contents:

Carbon Dioxide

How it works:

A CO2 extinguisher offers great protection against flammable liquids and electrical fires. They’re mainly found in electrical switchboards server rooms and areas with sensitive electrical appliances installed. Carbon Dioxide is not only a highly effective chemical for fighting fires, but it’s also a clean agent and doesn’t leave behind a mess.

Suitable for:

• Class B Fires – involving combustible liquids such as petrol, oil paint and solvents
• Class E Fires – where the ignition source contains electrical equipment such as motors, switchboards and electrical appliances

Not suitable for:

• Class C Fires – involving combustible gases such as LPG, Natural gas and acetylene
• Class D Fires – involving combustible metals such as aluminium shaving or magnesium
• Class F Fires – Caused by fats and cooking oils

Blue Band

Contents:

Foam

How it works:

A Foam fire extinguisher emanates a film that rapidly suffocates the fire’s oxygen supply, knocking down its flames. They offer exceptional protection against oils, petrol and other flammable liquid based fires.

Suitable for:

• Class A Fires – involving normal combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, plastic or rubber products
• Class B Fires – involving combustible liquids like petrol, oil paint and solvents

Not suitable for:

• Class C Fires – involving combustible gases like LPG, Natural gas and acetylene
• Class D Fires – involving combustible metals like aluminium shaving or magnesium
• Class E Fires – where the ignition source contains electrical equipment such as motors, switchboards and electrical appliances
• Class F Fires – involving cooking oils and fats

White Band

Contents:

Dry Powder

How it works:

Dry Powder ABE fire extinguishers provide excellent protection against paper, wood, oils and electrical fires. This wide range of industrial and commercial applications make them notably versatile in different usage situations – from residential to commercial, caravans, boats and large machinery.

Suitable for:

• Class A Fires – involving normal combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, plastic or rubber products
• Class B Fires – involving combustible liquids like petrol, oil paint and solvents
• Class E Fires – where the ignition source contains electrical equipment such as motors, switchboards and electrical appliances

Not suitable for:

• Class C Fires – involving combustible gases like LPG, Natural gas and acetylene
• Class D Fires – involving combustible metals such as aluminium shavings or magnesium

Beige Band

Contents:

Wet Chemical 

How it works:

Intended to extinguish fires on kitchen ranges caused by fats, cooking oils, butter and lard, Wet Chemical fire extinguishers store a fluid extinguishing agent that becomes soapy when released. This liquid seals the surface of the flame, prevents re-ignition and quickly returns your kitchen to safety.

Suitable for:

• Class A Fires – involving normal combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, plastic or rubber products
• Class F Fires – involving cooking oils and fats

Not suitable for:

• Class E Fires – where the ignition source contains electrical equipment such as motors, switchboards and electrical appliances

From https://fireextinguishersnz.co.nz/fire-extinguisher-band-colours-what-do-they-mean/