Fire Extinguisher Types & Placement: A Complete Guide

Having fire extinguishers is not enough — they must be the right type, in the right place, and ready to use. Here is how to get all three right, from the Power Safe team.

Extinguisher types at a glance

• ABC Dry Powder — the versatile all-rounder for Class A, B and C fires. Great default for offices, shops and factories.
• CO₂ — best for electrical (Class C) and flammable-liquid (Class B) fires; leaves no residue — ideal for server rooms and electrical panels.
• Water / Foam — for Class A (and foam for B). Never on electrical or liquid fires.
• Wet Chemical — for Class K cooking-oil fires in commercial kitchens.

Placement rules

• Mount extinguishers on escape routes and near exits — where people move toward safety.
• Keep travel distance short — a person should reach one within about 15 metres.
• Mount at the correct height (roughly 1–1.5 m to the handle) and keep the area clear.
• Add clear signage above each unit so it’s visible from a distance.
• Match the extinguisher to the hazard in that zone (CO₂ by electrical panels, ABC in general areas, wet chemical in kitchens).

Keep them ready

Do a monthly visual check (pressure gauge in the green, pin and seal intact), an annual professional service, and refill immediately after any use.

Power Safe supplies, installs, services and refills all fire extinguishers and fire-safety systems. Book a free fire safety audit and we’ll map the right extinguishers to every zone of your building.