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Fire Extinguishers

About | Fire Blankets | Fire Extinguishers

Fire ExtinguishersFlammable liquids fire extingushers

There are a range of fire extinguishers on the market suitable for home use, however the most common fire extinguisher for the home is the dry chemical extinguisher. These can be ordered via CFA's Fire Equipment Maintenance website at www.fem.cfa.vic.gov.au or purchased from your local hardware store.

The following table indicates the different types of extinguishers and what they can be used on.

Type Colour Use
Dry chemical Red and white band   Paint, petrol, cooking, electrical, motor vehicle fires
 
Water Red   Wood, cloth, plastic and paper fires
Foam Blue   Flammable liquid fires
Carbon dioxide Red and black band   Electrical, cooking, petrol and motor vehicle fires
 
Wet chemical Beige   Cooking oil fires
Vapourising liquid Red and yellow band   Petrol, motor vehicle and electrical fires
 

Instructions for Use of a Dry Chemical Extinguisher

  • Remove the extinguisher from the wall bracket and carry it as close to the fire as possible
  • Remove the ring pin and free the nozzle
  • Hold the extinguisher upright, and point the nozzle in the direction of the fire
  • Squeeze the discharge lever
  • Direct the stream of chemical to the base of the flames
  • Spray rapidly from side to side.

Find the Your Home Fire Safety brochure in the Home Safety page of the Publications section.

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