Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are an essential part of any fire protection plan. All business and building owners are responsible for providing suitable firefighting equipment – and to carry out regular inspections on every fire extinguisher around the premises.

At Toolstation, we stock a wide variety of fire extinguishers to help you meet fire safety regulations and be ready if the worst does happen. Our fire extinguisher range contains multiple options designed for different types of fire from Class A to F – but which ones do you need?

Fire Extinguisher Types

While a basic water fire extinguisher can be used for Class A fires with combustible materials like paper or wood, for many fires you’ll need additional requirements from these options:

• Foam fire extinguisher – suitable for use on Class A fires involving flammable solids like paper or wood, and Class B fires involving some flammable liquids such as petrol or paint.
• Dry powder fire extinguisher – a versatile option suitable for Class ABC fires as well as some electrical fires. It’s safe to use on electrical equipment under 1000V.
• CO2 fire extinguisher – can be used on electrical fires, but is also suitable for Class B fires involving certain flammable liquids like petrol, diesel and paint.
• Wet chemical fire extinguisher – required for Class F fires. These fires include cooking fires involving oil and grease, such as a chip pan fire.

 

Home Fire Extinguishers

While fire extinguishers are a legal requirement for businesses, commercial spaces and public buildings, they are also recommended for an additional safety measure at home to support your smoke alarms and other equipment.

An ABC fire extinguisher is often a popular choice for home use as they can be used on a variety of different fires. But remember – this type of home fire extinguisher should not be used on a chip pan fire or any other blaze involving cooking grease or oil.

As well as a multi-purpose fire extinguisher, you may also want to consider a small fire extinguisher for its compact design and easy portability. A mini fire extinguisher can be kept in any emergency kit around the home, but also in the car or van.

Still unsure which fire extinguisher you need? See our Fire Extinguisher Buying Guide for tips and advice from the experts.