Using the wrong extinguisher can make a fire worse. Water on an electrical fire, for example, can cause a shock. Here is a quick guide.
Classes of fire
- Class A: wood, paper, cloth
- Class B: petrol, diesel, oil, paint
- Class C: gases like LPG
- Class D: metals
- Electrical fires: switch off the supply first
- Class K: cooking oil in kitchens
Which extinguisher?
TypeUse onWaterClass A onlyFoamClass A and BCO2Electrical and Class BABC dry powderClass A, B, C and electricalWet chemicalKitchen oil fires
The PASS method
- Pull the safety pin
- Aim at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep side to side
You will practise all of this on live fires in our Fire Safety Course.