There is no fire extinguisher for every fire. The right extinguisher depends on what is burning â and on the fire classes shown on the extinguisher itself.
A fire extinguisher is not there for decoration. But grabbing any extinguisher simply because a fire has started is not the solution either.
First understand the fire. Then use the right extinguisher â while the fire is still small enough to fight safely.
Which fire class is burning?
In Germany, fires are divided into fire classes A, B, C, D and F.
- A: solid materials such as wood, paper or textiles
- B: liquids or materials that become liquid when burning
- C: gases such as propane or natural gas
- D: combustible metals
- F: cooking oils and fats
Electrical equipment is not a separate fire class.
If electrical equipment is still energised, the extinguisher must be approved for that use. The permitted voltage and safety distance shown on the extinguisher must be observed.
Which extinguisher is suitable for which fire?
The marking on the extinguisher is decisive. Do not guess.
Typical examples are:
- Water: mainly fire class A
- Foam: usually fire classes A and B
- ABC powder: fire classes A, B and C
- Metal fire extinguisher: fire class D
- Wet chemical: fire class F
- COâ: suitable for certain class B risks and often used where sensitive electrical equipment is present
COâ extinguishers need particular caution in small or confined rooms because carbon dioxide can reach dangerous concentrations.
The important point is simple: the extinguishing agent has to match the fire.
When should you use a fire extinguisher?
A small fire should not be given time to become a large one. That is exactly why fire extinguishers are there.
If a fire can still be fought safely, acting early can make the difference.
Waiting until flames and smoke have developed considerably may mean that the opportunity for a safe extinguishing attempt has already gone.
But there is a clear limit.
No fire extinguisher is worth putting yourself in danger.
Knowing where the extinguisher is and how to operate it is therefore only part of the job. You also need to recognise when to start â and when to stop.
During our Fire Warden Training in English, every participant personally uses a fire extinguisher on our gas-powered fire trainer.
They do not just watch.
They extinguish the fire themselves.
Stop the fire while you still can â but not at any cost.
But between us â what happens in a real fire?
From many real fire incidents as career firefighters, we know one thing: when something starts burning at work, nobody stands in front of five different fire extinguishers neatly lined up by fire class.
In reality, people usually reach for the extinguisher that is actually available nearby.
That does not mean that every extinguisher is suitable for every fire. Cooking-oil fires, metal fires, gas fires or electrical equipment can require very specific decisions. The marking on the extinguisher still matters.
But with many small workplace fires, another question becomes just as important very quickly:
Do I have a suitable extinguisher within reach â and can I still stop this fire safely now?
The theoretically perfect extinguisher is of little use if you first have to search for it while a small fire is getting bigger. That is exactly how we explain it during our Fire Warden Training:
Know the fire class. Know the limits of the extinguisher. But do not give a manageable small fire unnecessary time to become a large one.