Which type of fire extinguisher does your office, warehouse, kitchen or server room need?

Agatha CandyKitty
Sep 29
1 min read

Which type of fire extinguisher does your office, warehouse, kitchen or server room need?

Not all fires are the same — and not all fire extinguishers work on every type of fire. Choosing the wrong one can be ineffective or even dangerous. Knowing the main fire extinguisher types helps you protect your workplace safely and comply with UK fire safety rules.

Fire extinguisher classes explained

In the UK, extinguishers are classified by the type of fire they can tackle:

Class A: Solid combustibles (wood, paper, textiles)
Class B: Flammable liquids (petrol, oils, paints)
Class C: Flammable gases
Class D: Metals
Class F: Cooking oils and fats
Electrical fires: Not a formal class, but specific extinguishers are suitable.

Best fire extinguisher for offices

For general offices, the most common risks are paper, furniture and electrical devices. Water or foam extinguishers cover Class A fires, while CO2 extinguishers are essential for electrical equipment.

Fire extinguisher for server rooms

A CO2 extinguisher is typically required because it won’t damage sensitive electronics and leaves no residue.

Kitchen fire extinguisher

In commercial kitchens, the main risk is burning oil. Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for Class F fires and are a legal requirement in many catering environments.

Warehouses and industrial spaces

Warehouses often store a variety of materials, meaning multi-purpose powder extinguishers are common. However, powder can reduce visibility indoors, so foam or water-based extinguishers may also be needed depending on the risk.