Fire Extinguishers - the 5 Main Types
Understanding the right fire extinguisher for your premises is crucial as each type is designed with a category of fire in mind. Using the wrong type of extinguisher can at best, be ineffective, and at worse, cause considerably more harm than good.
Wet Chemicals
Class F (cooking oils/fats), often also Class A depending on rating
CO₂
Class B & electrical fires
Dry Powder
Class A, B, & C (including flammable gases)
Foam
Class A & B (solid combustibles and flammable liquids)
Water
Class A (Wood, paper, textiles, and some plastics)
Supply & Installation
We supply all types of fire extinguishers and install them in strategic locations throughout your workplace or building.
Refills & Removal
We refill water, foam, dry powder, CO₂ and wet chemical fire extinguishers. Plus, we remove condemned units, correctly disposing of the designated hazardous waste through relevant and regulatory processes.
Yearly Service
Fire extinguishers need an annual service to make sure they're in proper working order. We service them to recognised British and European standards, specifically BS 5306-3 (commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers), BS 5306-8 (selection and positioning of extinguishers) and BS EN 3.
Location Surveys
Based on British Standards 5306-3 (commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers) and to help support your compliance with UK Law, we make sure your premises have the correct number and type of extinguishers, properly installed and positioned.
What is a Responsible Person?
A “Responsible Person” is the person or party under UK law responsible for fire safety in non-domestic premises and communal areas of residential buildings.
They’re typically the landlord, business owner, or managing agent.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, your “Responsible Person” must ensure appropriate firefighting equipment is provided (where necessary) and maintained in efficient working order.
The fire extinguishers must be the correct type and number, be in proper working order, should be checked and recorded monthly as per guidance, and they must ensure a "Competent Person” supply and regularly services each fire extinguisher.
Small Fire Containment
Strategically placed fire extinguishers suppress small blazes, slowing the fire until emergency services arrive, or completely stopping it.
All Fire Classes
From water to foam, dry powder to CO₂ and wet chemicals, there’s a fire extinguisher for each type of fire and every type of workplace or property.
Cost-Efficient First-Aid Firefighting Equipment
Instead of high-cost passive or active fire systems, fire extinguishers are the most cost-effective form of fire protection.
People & Property
Protection
Fire extinguishers help building occupants contain fires long enough to evacuate safely.
Fire Extinguishers
Business
Protection
Blazes can rapidly escalate, with minor fires quickly becoming major incidents. Suitable, sufficient, and strategically placed extinguishers help your people suppress small fires and save your building.
Asset
Register
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, your fire extinguisher(s) must be recorded, managed, and proven to be in proper working order by your “Responsible Person”.
Fire Blankets
and Fire Signage
Fire blankets are flame‑retardant, allowing people to move safely past flames. Proper fire signage also helps guide occupants to safety by improving visibility through smoke.
Why VFS?
Our accredited fire assessors comprise firefighters, fire officers, and ex-forces fire service personnel with over a century of combined fire extinguisher use, supply, and servicing experience.
Knowing how to strategically place, track, test, and refill them accordingly, we understand how fires behave in buildings and how each fire is classified by its ignition source.
We advise on the suitable and sufficient number, type and placement of fire extinguishers.
This ensures your fire extinguishers are compliant under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Fire extinguishers not only prevent small fires from escalating into incidents that destroy properties or shut down businesses, but they give your people confidence and awareness that fire safety is a constant mindset.
