Not all fire extinguishers are the same, and using the wrong one can make a fire significantly worse rather than better. In Australia, there are five main types of fire extinguisher, each designed for a specific category of fire. Choosing the right one for your building is a compliance obligation under AS 2444, and maintaining it correctly is a legal requirement under AS 1851.
This guide explains the five types, the fire classes each one covers, the colour coding system used in Australia, and what your building is most likely to need.
Not sure if your building has the right extinguishers installed? Fire Safe ANZ provides fire extinguisher selection, installation, and servicing across Australia. Request a quote today
Before looking at types, it helps to understand the three Australian Standards that govern fire extinguishers across their entire lifespan:
An extinguisher that is perfectly manufactured to AS 1841 is rendered useless if it is the wrong type for the risk (a violation of AS 2444) or has not been serviced and has lost pressure (a violation of AS 1851). Full compliance requires all three.
<cite index=”3-1″>Australian Standard AS/NZS 1841 categorises fires into six classes based on what is burning. Matching your extinguisher to the fire class is critical as using the wrong one can spread a fire or create a hazard.</cite>
<cite index=”3-1″>There are five types of fire extinguishers in Australia: dry chemical (ABE/BE), CO2 carbon dioxide, wet chemical, foam, and water. Each is designed for specific fire classes and identified by a coloured band on the cylinder.</cite> All cylinders are red. The coloured band near the top identifies the type.
1. Dry Chemical (ABE) – White Band
The ABE dry chemical extinguisher is the most widely used type in Australian commercial and industrial buildings. It contains a monoammonium phosphate powder that works on Class A, B, and E fires, making it suitable for most office, retail, warehouse, and general commercial environments.
A BE dry chemical extinguisher covers Class B and E only and is typically used in areas with specific flammable liquid or electrical risks but no ordinary combustible materials.
ABE extinguishers come in a range of sizes. For most offices and retail spaces, a 2.5kg or 4.5kg unit is appropriate. For warehouses and industrial sites, a 9kg unit is the standard minimum.
One limitation to be aware of: ABE dry powder leaves a corrosive residue that can damage sensitive equipment. For server rooms and electrical switch areas, CO2 is a better choice.
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – Black Band
<cite index=”3-1″>CO2 extinguishers are identified by a black colour band and a distinctive horn-shaped discharge nozzle. They extinguish fires by displacing oxygen and leave no residue, making them the preferred choice for server rooms, electrical switchboards, and data centres where powder residue would damage equipment. They are suitable for Class B and Class E fires.</cite>
<cite index=”3-1″>CO2 extinguishers should not be used in confined, unventilated spaces as displacing oxygen can create a suffocation hazard.</cite>
CO2 extinguishers are standard in commercial kitchens alongside wet chemical units, in server rooms and data centres, and in any area where electrical fire risk is high and equipment damage from powder residue is a concern.
3. Wet Chemical – Oatmeal (Beige) Band
<cite index=”3-1″>Wet chemical extinguishers are identified by an oatmeal (beige) colour band. They contain a potassium-based solution that reacts with hot cooking oil to form a soap-like crust, sealing the surface and preventing re-ignition. They are specifically designed for Class F fires involving cooking oils and deep fryers, and are a requirement under Australian Standards for commercial kitchens.</cite>
<cite index=”4-1″>The wrong fire extinguisher in a kitchen can spread the fire or cause a steam explosion. Wet chemical is the only safe choice for cooking oil fires.</cite>
If your building has a commercial kitchen, a canteen, or a food preparation area with deep frying equipment, a wet chemical extinguisher is not optional. It is a requirement.
4. Foam – Blue Band
Foam extinguishers are identified by a blue band and work on Class A and Class B fires. They are commonly used in areas where both ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids are present, such as workshops, storage facilities, and some industrial environments.
Foam extinguishers create a smothering layer over the fire, preventing oxygen from reaching the fuel. They are not suitable for electrical fires.
5. Water – Red Band (No Coloured Band)
Water extinguishers are the most basic type and are suitable for Class A fires only: wood, paper, fabric, and other ordinary combustibles. They are not suitable for flammable liquids, electrical fires, or cooking oil fires, and their use in the wrong situation can be dangerous.
Water extinguishers are less common in modern commercial buildings, where ABE dry chemical or foam extinguishers typically offer broader coverage. They may still be found in older buildings or in specific areas where the fire risk is limited to Class A materials only.
The right extinguisher for your building depends on the fire risks present in each area. Here is a general guide:
This is a general guide only. The specific types, sizes, quantities, and placement positions required for your building must be determined by a licensed fire protection technician applying AS 2444 to your building’s specific layout and risk profile.
Not sure if your building has the right extinguishers in the right locations? Fire Safe ANZ can assess your building against AS 2444 and ensure you are fully compliant. Get in touch
<cite index=”4-1″>AS 1851 requires all installed extinguishers to be inspected and serviced every six months by a licensed fire protection technician.</cite> This is a legal requirement across all states and territories in Australia, not a recommendation.
Six-monthly servicing covers a visual inspection and pressure check at minimum. At the five-year mark, extinguishers require a more comprehensive internal inspection and pressure test. At the hydrostatic test interval (typically every five years depending on type), the cylinder is pressure-tested to confirm structural integrity.
Buying fire extinguishers online or from a general hardware supplier and installing them without engaging a licensed fire protection company does not satisfy AS 2444 or AS 1851 requirements and leaves building owners exposed to compliance risk and potential liability.
All fire extinguisher servicing carried out by Fire Safe ANZ is documented and accessible through our 24/7 client portal, giving you a complete, audit-ready service history at all times.
If your building is required to lodge an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) in NSW, or equivalent annual certification in other states, fire extinguishers are listed as essential fire safety measures on your fire safety schedule. They must be inspected, tested, and in good working order for your AFSS to be valid.
An out-of-date or non-compliant extinguisher is one of the most common defects identified during fire safety audits. Read our guide: 5 Signs Your Building Will Fail Its Next Fire Safety Audit
For more on annual reporting requirements: Annual Fire Safety Statements NSW: What Building Owners Must Know
Fire Safe ANZ provides fire extinguisher selection, installation, and six-monthly servicing as part of our broader essential services maintenance programs across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, and beyond. Our services include:
Make sure your building has the right extinguishers, in the right locations, serviced correctly. Talk to Fire Safe ANZ about a compliant fire extinguisher program for your building. Call 1300 553 566 or request a quote online
