Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

There are just two types of dry powder fire extinguishers available: standard and specialist. Standard dry powder extinguishers can extinguish almost any type of fire. Specialist dry powder extinguishers are for certain types of metal fires. However, because of the dispersal of powder, it’s important not to use them in enclosed spaces.

Dry powder extinguishers can also be known as ABC extinguishers, multi-purpose extinguishers or dry chemical extinguishers.

Standard dry powder extinguishers can be used on:

• Class A fires – combustible materials: caused by flammable solids, such as wood, paper, and textiles
• Class B fires – flammable liquids: such as petrol, paint or spirits
• Class C fires – flammable gases: like propane and butane
• Electrical fires – electrical equipment: such as computers and photocopiers

Specialist dry powder extinguishers can be used on:

• Flammable metal fires: such as lithium (L2 powder extinguishers only)
• All other flammable metal fires: (M28 powder extinguishers only)

Dry powder extinguishers should never be used on the following fire types:

• Class F fires – cooking oils: such as olive oil or butter. Typically a chip-pan fire
• Electrical fires: if the voltage exceeds 1000v
• Flammable metal fires: unless it’s a specialist dry powder extinguisher

Identifying a Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher

Dry powder fire extinguishers have a blue coloured label stating ‘DRY POWDER’. It should also have a sign above or next to the extinguisher that states ‘Powder Extinguisher’.

Dry powder extinguishers come in foam sizes:

• 1 kg
• 2 kg
• 3 kg
• 6 kg
• 9 kg

How Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers Work

These extinguishers work by smothering a fire and creating a barrier between the source of the fire and oxygen. However, because there’s no cooling effect with a dry powder extinguisher, there’s a small change of the fire re-igniting.

When to choose a Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher

They’re suited to open or outdoor environments where there’s a fire risk from several different sources. An example would be a garage forecourt or a workshop, where there’s a fire risk present from fuel, vehicles, and chemicals.

We have two guides available completely free of charge to help ensure your business is fire safe.

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  Essential Guide to Fire Alarm Systems

  Will answer all your questions on the process of installing a fire alarm system, guiding you down the right path to protecting your business and employees, and complying with fire safety legislation.

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  Fire Safety Compliance Guide for Business

  This guide will establish exactly what your responsibilities are to ensure you’re kept on the right side of the law, and that your business and your employees are kept as safe as possible from the threat of fire.