Fire extinguishers

All new portable fire extinguishers are now coloured red and some have a zone of colour, which indicates the contents of the extinguisher.  This colour indication appears on the front of the extinguisher and above the operating instructions.  All new portable fire extinguishers should conform to British Standards EN3 and 7863.  Look for the Kite mark or the special British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) mark.  
Should a fire be discovered in its very early stages you may think that you can deal with it.  The first thing to remember is even a small fire can spread very quickly, producing smoke and fumes, which can kill in seconds.  If you are in any doubt, do not tackle the fire, no matter how small it is - get out and dial 999.

Always call the fire service, even if you have managed to put the fire out.  The fire service will make sure that the fire has been properly extinguished.

Where to store your fire extinguisher:

• Fire extinguishers should be located where they can be seen easily.
  
• The best place is on an escape route that is near an outside door, or on the route from the living areas to an outside door, or close to any perceived fire risk.
  
• Keep fire extinguishers out of the reach of children.
  
• Do not place them over cookers or heaters or in places of extreme heat.

If you do tackle a fire:

• Always put your own and other people's safety first.  Make sure everyone else is out of the building and that the fire service has been called.
  
• Make sure you can escape.  Never let fire block your exit.
  
• Do not move the object on fire.
  
• NEVER use fire extinguishers on chip or fat pan fires.
  
• Only tackle a fire if it is in its very early stages.
  
• Never tackle a fire that is starting to spread or if the room is filling with smoke.
  
• Keep low so that your head is beneath the level of any fumes.
  
• If you cannot put the fire out or the extinguisher becomes empty, GET OUT, closing all the doors behind you as you leave the property.
  
• Always maintain an extinguisher according to the manufacturer's instructions

IMPORTANT: Different extinguishers for different types of fire:

It is critical that you only attempt to extinguish a fire if you know what type of fire you are fighting and what type of extinguishers you have available. 

Remember, you should only tackle a fire yourself if it is safe for you to do so.  If in doubt, get out, stay out and call the fire service out.

Before tackling any type of fire you should fully learn and understand which type of extinguisher is required for each class of fire.

If you are note sure which type of extinguisher you require click here