The first step when fighting a fire caused by electricity is to switch the equipment off. In addition, any water based extinguishers used on electrical equipment should be dielectrically tested and certified to ensure that you can extinguish the fire safely, even if the power supply is left on. It must be remembered that certain electrical apparatus maintain a lethal charge for some time after they have been switched off. Colour coding of Extinguishers

Electrical fires are not given their own full class, as they can fall into any of the classifications. After all it is not the electricity burning but surrounding material that has been set alight by the electric current. Electrical fires - electrical equipment: once the electrical item is removed, the fire changes class Fire Extinguishers should be located in conspicuous positions, available at all times for immediate use. Extinguishers in commercial or public buildings should be visually inspected monthly for damage or pressure loss and should be serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions or to BS 5306-3. Water, foam and powder extinguishers have to be discharged and refilled every five years. CO2 extinguishers must be refurbished after ten years. One exception, however, are the kitemarked P50 servicing-free extinguishers which only need refurbishment after ten years and do not require maintenance within the ten years (other than the monthly visual inspection and a recorded yearly visual inspection by the owners).

Extinguishers used for fires involving flammable gases, such as natural gas, methane, propane, hydrogen, and acetylene, are rated class ‘C’. the fire extinguisher fire rating for class B, C, F and electrical fires is lower than other types of fire extinguisher aligned with this class of fires.

improved cooling properties compared with other types of foam fire extinguisher (excluding water types).

Head Office

Both the Home Office and the Fire & Rescue Services recommend extinguishers approved to the European Standard BS EN3 and compliant with BS 5306-10 (formerly BS 7863) colour coding code of practice. The Standard states The following information should be recorded in the fire logbook, which may be in electronic form: a) information to be completed by the responsible person: Fires involving combustible metals such as, lithium, magnesium, aluminium, sodium, potassium, and their various alloys, class ‘D’ fire extinguishers are used. The testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers is essential and required by law to ensure they work if and when they’re ever needed. Following these activities the extinguisher must be labelled appropriately to confirm their fitness for purpose. brief details of maintenance arrangements; (Meaning last service – any previous issues/next scheduled service)

When choosing the right fire extinguisher, it is important to know that no single type of fire extinguisher can be used on all types of fires. Your fire risk assessment should identify which types of fires are most likely to occur in your building/premises, making this a good place to start.Foam extinguishers work similarly to water extinguishers by having a cooling effect on the fuel. The foaming agent works by creating a barrier between the flame and the fuel. Combustible cooking fires require a special wet chemical extinguishing agent. Oil residues and grease are commonplace in catering and commercial kitchens and have the ability to reach extremely high temperatures and can re-ignite easily. There is no single fire extinguisher which works on all classes of fire. What are the different classes of fire? The type of extinguisher is identified by a colour coding as indicated below. The old fire extinguishers standard required the whole of the body of the extinguisher to be painted the appropriate colour. You will find these extinguishers in many premises and these are still legal, you do not need to change them unless the extinguisher is defective and needs to be replaced. New extinguishers are manufactured to the standard BS EN 3.