Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Newcastle Business
(Yes, There’s More Than Just the Red One)
Picking a fire extinguisher shouldn’t feel like a pub quiz — but with all the colours, types, and codes, it often does. If you’re the Responsible Person for a Newcastle business, knowing which extinguisher to use is crucial… because using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire ends one way: badly.
Let’s break it down.
🧯 The 5 Main Fire Extinguisher Types (and What They’re For)
- Water – Red label ✅ Great for: Paper, wood, textiles ❌ Avoid: Electrical fires (unless you like sparks)
- CO₂ – Black label ✅ Great for: Electrical equipment and servers ❌ Useless on flammable solids
- Foam – Cream label ✅ Great for: Flammable liquids (petrol, paint) ❌ Avoid: Electrical unless labelled safe
- Dry Powder – Blue label ✅ Great for: Multiple fire types, including gas ❌ Creates a dust cloud that looks like you’ve angered a ghost
- Wet Chemical – Yellow label ✅ Great for: Deep fat fryer fires (Class F) ❌ Keep away from electrics unless you’re feeling brave
🚨 One Size Does Not Fit All
Your fire risk assessment should tell you which extinguishers are right for each room or zone. Got a server room? CO₂. Workshop with oils? Foam or dry powder. Staff kitchen? Wet chemical — and maybe some cooking lessons.
❗ Common Mistakes We See in Newcastle Offices:
- Only water extinguishers… in IT suites
- Extinguishers hidden behind filing cabinets
- Labels worn off like a 90s CD
Don’t be that office.
We’ll Sort Your Extinguishers (and Your Sanity)
From fire risk assessments to full extinguisher installs, we help Newcastle businesses stay compliant and fire-ready — without the confusion.
📞 Call Sanjay at The Fire Safety Company on 01748 811992 Or visit 👉 our contact page
Because “guess and spray” is not a fire safety strategy.
