Learn About Different Types of Fire Extinguishers by Colors
Are you looking for the best fire extinguisher manufacturer in India to get an extinguisher according to your needs? If yes! You are on the right blog.
Furthermore, fire can be harmful. That is why you should keep fire extinguishers in your living space, whether it’s your home or office. Nevertheless, while purchasing it, you need to ensure that one type of fire extinguisher can not do all kinds of jobs of extinguishing the fire. Instead, you should know the different types of fire extinguishers by their specific color code. Furthermore, every fire extinguisher in India is manufactured to handle a particular class of fire.
Similarly, purchasing the right fire extinguisher types for the appropriate fire class can make an immense difference between life and death scenarios. That is why, in this comprehensive blog, we will discuss the different types of fire extinguishers for various situations, including their color codes, uses, and fire classes.
What is Colour Coding of Extinguishers?
The extinguisher type is determined by a colour coding as shown below. The previous standard for a portable fire extinguisher requires the entire body of the extinguisher to be coloured the relevant colour. Furthermore, these extinguishers are found in most premises, and they are still legal. You do not have to replace them unless there is something wrong with the extinguisher, and it must be replaced. In India, fire extinguishers are now manufactured to the BS EN 3 standards.
- Water extinguishers are signal red in color.
- The other extinguishers will be signal red with a label, band, or circle occupying not less than 5% of the surface area of the extinguisher in a second colour denoting the extinguisher contents.
Green colour-coded fire extinguishers contain vapourising liquids (Halons) and have been illegal, except for the military and aircraft, since late 2003 due to the Montreal protocol. Furthermore, they must be disposed of legally.
Types of Extinguisher with Their Identification Color Code
Whether you are looking for an ABC or a CO2 fire extinguisher, check out the following table to learn about different fire extinguishers and their identification color codes.
Extinguisher Type | Previous Identification Code | Current BS EN 3 Colour Standard | Suitable Fire Classes |
---|---|---|---|
Water | Signal Red | Entirely Signal Red | Class A fires (solid combustibles such as wood, paper, textiles) |
Water Mist | White with Red Markings | Red body with White label/marking | Primarily Class A, may also handle B & C fires (fittest). Safe for live electricals when de-ionised water is used. Some models are also rated for Class F. |
Foam | Cream | Red body with a Cream panel above the instructions | Effective on Class A and Class B fires; safe for electricals if specially tested. |
Dry Powder | French Blue | Red body with a Blue panel above the instructions | Covers Class A, B, and C fires; also usable on electrical equipment. |
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) | Black | Red body with a Black panel above the instructions | Designed for Class B fires and safe for electrical fires. |
Halon | Emerald Green | No longer permitted (illegal under UK law) | Was once used for Class A fires; discontinued due to environmental impact. |
Wet Chemical | Not previously assigned | Red body with a Yellow panel above the instructions | Specifically developed for Class F (cooking oils/fats); also suitable for Class A, with some models extending to Class B. |
Specialist Powder | French Blue | Red body with a Blue panel above the instructions | Specifically for Class D fires (metal fires). |
Check Out Several Types of Fire Extinguishers According to Different Colors
When you search for the best fire extinguisher in India, you will find countless options available online, such as Powder fire extinguishers, C22 fire extinguishers, Liquid fire extinguishers, and many more. Furthermore, with different versions available, it is imperative to know which one suits you perfectly. Likewise, using the wrong extinguisher for extinguishing might make things worse than you can handle.
Moreover, you must have a keen idea of different extinguishers and their color code for concealing different fire classes. Therefore, here we have mentioned each portable fire extinguisher that comes with a specific color coding. Let’s discuss one by one.
1. Foam Fire Extinguishers
Foam Fire Extinguishers bear a cream (Lemon Yellow) colored label over the red body. So you can identify this extinguisher by observing letters like ‘Foam’ in red on the cream colored label. The foam fire extinguishers are water-based and can be used for class A and B fires. Additionally, it performs effectively on solid fuel fires, such as wood and paper, as well as on flammable liquid fires, including petrol, paint, diesel, and solvents. Moreover, it stops reignition by having a cooling blanket effect.
2. CO2 Fire Extinguishers
It has a red body with a black tag. You can identify it with words such as ‘Carbon Dioxide’ or CO2 written in white on a black tag. The CO2 fire extinguisher is applied to combat class B and E fires. It is employed effectively for flammable liquids and electrical fires. However, you should not use this extinguisher type to combat high and low-voltage electrical fires. They offer perfect fire safety measures for workshops and offices. It displaces the oxygen in the air to put out the fire.
3. Powder Fire Extinguishers
Powder Fire Extinguishers have a blue tag. Hence, ‘Powder’ is printed in white inside the blue tag. Nevertheless, this extinguisher can be used on class B and C fires. However, they are of little use in class A fires. One of the most commonly used powder fire extinguishers is the ABC fire extinguisher. The powder fire extinguisher serves as a thermal blast to cool the fire and secure the dangerous properties.
4. Water-Fire Extinguishers
There are two categories of water extinguishers: water spray and water mist. The water spray Fire extinguishers are used for class A fire only. At the same time, the water mist extinguishers are for all classes of fire, such as A, F, and E. Moreover, the water mist Fire extinguisher creates a fire safety barrier between the person holding it and the fire. This type of fire extinguisher in India comes in a solid red color. Nevertheless, words like ‘Water’ or ‘Watermist’ are written in white color below the red mark. Thus, these extinguishers introduce cooling effects as they penetrate the burnable materials to prevent further reignition.
5. Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers
You can easily recognize this kind of fire extinguisher by letters like ‘Wet Chemical’ printed within a yellow tag with a red body. Wet Chemical fire extinguishers can be utilized to extinguish class F fire, commonly referred to as Kitchen Fire Extinguishers. It suppresses fires of high temperature. It quenches the combustion of fats and oils with ease. Chemical transformation of the cooking oil renders the fire non-combustible.
It’s Time to Conclude Here!
An exclusive identification color code system is used for specifying the different types of fire extinguishers and their proper usage in their class of fire. Furthermore, once you understand the right idea of fire extinguisher types by color codes, it’s time to grab the accurate one according to your particular need and preference. However, if you are searching for the best fire extinguisher manufacturer in India, look no further than Somya Pyrotek Services Pvt. Ltd. Moreover, we understand that buying the proper fire extinguisher is not always about picking any fire extinguisher. Still, it needs a mindful presence to make an informed decision on hazards, capacity needs, and types of fires.
Furthermore, we offer the best fire extinguishers that will ensure better protection of lives and surroundings in case of a fire. We have built our Somya Pyrotek Services Pvt. Ltd. brand as one of the most trustworthy brands in India in providing cutting-edge fire extinguishers and comprehensive fire security solutions for different fire risks. So, what are you waiting for? Check out our extensive product page to get the precise details about our best fire extinguisher in India.
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