Fire Extinguisher Colours in Addition to Their Explanation

Several fire extinguisher colour codes are utilized between Europe, Australia and America. You'll also find variations within each location. For instance a number of the older units use different colour codes.

Colour coding changed in 1997 for Europe because of the introduction of BS EN 3. Before BS EN 3 solid colours were utilised, but BS EN 3 brought in coloured bands as a substitute.

In Australia yellow halon units are unlawful to have or use. An exception to this is that if a necessary use exemption is granted.

There is no recognized standard in the States for fire extinguisher colours.

Having said that, they usually use colour coded geometric shapes and pictograms showing you the sorts of fires that the extinguisher is approved to fight.

Given all of the variations in fire extinguisher colours, what follows is considered the most well-known convention for today's fire extinguisher colours/pictograms in each geographical location.

Fire Extinguisher Colours in The European Union

Water - solid red
Foam - red together with a cream panel
Dry powder - red along with a blue panel
Co2 - red together with a black panel
Wet chemical - red together with a yellow panel
Class D powder - red with a blue panel
Halon - (no longer utilised)

Fire Extinguisher Colours in Australia

Water - solid red
Foam - red together with a blue band
Dry powder - red with a white band
Carbon dioxide - red together with a black band
Vaporising liquid - red along with a yellow band
Halon - (no longer produced)
Wet chemical - red together with an oatmeal band

Fire Extinguisher Colours in The United States

Geometric Representations

Ordinary solid combustibles - green triangle
Combustible liquids and gasses - red square
Energised electrical equipment - blue circle
Combustible metals - yellow star
Cooking oils and fats - black hexagon

Pictograms

Ordinary solid combustibles - trash can and wood heap burning
Combustible liquids and gasses - fuel container and burning puddle
Energised electrical machines - electricity plug and burning electric outlet
Combustible metals - burning gear and bearing
Cooking fats and oils - pan burning

In picking the best unit for any given scenario the colour coding was designed to make the kinds of extinguisher straightforward to identify.

It is a shame that there isn't an international standard for extinguisher colour coding but like other things, it's hard to maintain consistency across the globe. This is mainly stemming from historical reasons.

Having said that, the colour coding shown above is an effective guide and there are similarities between the various countries and continents which makes it easier to master them.

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