Types, bands and fire classes
| Type | Band colour | Fire classes | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Red (no band) | A | Paper, wood, textiles |
| Foam | Blue | A, B | Flammable liquids, workshops |
| Dry chemical powder (ABE) | White | A, B, C, E | General purpose; vehicles, plant rooms |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | Black | B, E | Electrical switchboards, server rooms |
| Wet chemical | Oatmeal | A, F | Commercial kitchens, deep fryers |
| Vaporising liquid | Yellow | A, B, C, E | Clean agent for electronics |
Fire classes under AS/NZS 1850: A ordinary combustibles, B flammable and combustible liquids, C flammable gases, D combustible metals (specialist powder only), E electrically energised equipment, F cooking oils and fats. Never use water or foam on Class E or F fires.
Selection and placement
AS 2444 sets how extinguishers are selected and located: matched to the hazards present, within easy reach of exits and travel paths, mounted with the handle between 1.0 and 1.2 m from the floor, with a location sign visible from the approach. Workshops typically pair an ABE powder unit with a CO2 unit near switchboards; kitchens need wet chemical.
Inspection and testing
AS 1851 requires a six-monthly inspection of every portable extinguisher (pressure gauge, seal and pin, hose, body damage, signage, access, service tag) and a pressure test and refill at five-year intervals (hydrostatic test for CO2 units every ten years). The service tag on the cylinder records each check. Expired or discharged units are tagged out and replaced immediately.
Using an extinguisher: PASS
Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side. Only attempt a fire that is small, with an exit behind you, after the alarm has been raised.
Fire safety inside daily management
The six-monthly check is a contractor's job; the monthly visual check (gauge in the green, pin and seal intact, access clear, sign visible) belongs on the area's safety checklist and 5S audit. A missing or obstructed extinguisher found on a gemba walk is a safety action with an owner that day, and the finding is reviewed at the huddle, not filed until the next service visit.