Blog

Who Is Responsible for Fire Extinguishers in the UK?

A clear UK guide to who is responsible for fire extinguishers — the Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order, the changes from the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022, and the duti...

Mark McShane

Fire Extinguisher Disposal: The UK Guide

A practical UK guide to fire extinguisher disposal — how to dispose of domestic and business units, halon, PFOA-foam, the Waste Transfer Note, and the EWC codes that apply.

Fire Extinguisher Servicing and Inspection: The UK Guide

A clear UK guide to fire extinguisher servicing under BS 5306-3:2017 — monthly checks, annual basic service, 5-year and 10-year extended service, BAFE SP101, P50 service-free units, and the legal posi...

UK Fire Classes Explained: A, B, C, D, F (and L)

A clear UK guide to fire classification — Classes A, B, C, D and F under BS EN 2, why "Class E" doesn't exist, and the new Class L for lithium-ion batteries from BS ISO 3941:2026.

Fire Extinguisher for Flammable Liquids: The UK Guide

A clear UK guide to flammable liquid fires — what extinguisher you must never use, why water is so dangerous, and when to choose foam, CO2 or dry powder for petrol, diesel, paint and solvents.

Fire Extinguisher for Cooking Oil: The UK Guide

A clear UK guide to cooking oil fires — what to do, what never to do, when a fire blanket is enough, and when you need a wet chemical extinguisher.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers: The UK Guide

A practical UK guide to wet chemical fire extinguishers — Class F cooking oil fires, saponification, F-rating sizing for kitchens, and why the lance design matters.

Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers: The UK Guide

A practical UK guide to dry powder fire extinguishers — ABC powder, the 1000 V electrical limit, why powder is not for indoor use, and how Class D L2/M28 powders differ from the new Class L for lithiu...

CO2 Fire Extinguishers: The UK Guide

A practical UK guide to CO2 fire extinguishers — how they work, why they suit electrical and Class B fires, the confined-space and frostbite cautions, and the 10-year overhaul interval.

Foam Fire Extinguishers: The UK Guide for 2025-26

A current UK guide to foam fire extinguishers — how they work, which fires they handle, and the 4 July 2025 PFOA ban: what changed, what's next, and what to do if your foam extinguisher contains PFOA.

Water Fire Extinguishers: The UK Guide

A practical UK guide to water fire extinguishers — how they work, which fires they handle, why they must never be used on electrics or oil, and where water mist fits in.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: The PASS Method Explained

A practical UK guide to using a fire extinguisher safely — the PASS technique, when not to fight a fire, and how the four steps differ between water, foam, CO2, dry powder and wet chemical.

Fire Extinguisher for Electrical Fires: The UK Guide

A clear UK guide to choosing the right fire extinguisher for an electrical fire — why CO2 is the standard answer, when dry powder or water mist work, and what BS 5306-8:2023 actually says about live e...

Types of Fire Extinguisher: The Complete UK Guide

A clear UK guide to the five types of fire extinguisher — water, foam, CO2, dry powder and wet chemical — including the colour code, fire classes, and the new Class L for lithium-ion. Updated for BS 5...