In an emergency, get everyone out first and call for help on 112 from a cellphone, or your local fire brigade. This guide is general information; always follow the manufacturer's instructions and local regulations.
There are five common types of fire extinguisher in South Africa: dry chemical powder (DCP), carbon dioxide (CO2), foam, water and wet chemical. Each one is rated for certain classes of fire, shown by letters and pictograms on the label. Using the wrong type can make a fire worse, so match the extinguisher to the fire, and if in doubt, get out and call for help.
The classes of fire
Fires are grouped by what’s burning. The classes below follow the international classification (ISO 3941) that South African extinguisher labels generally use:
| Class | What’s burning | Examples at home |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ordinary solid combustibles | Wood, paper, cardboard, fabric, most plastics, furniture |
| B | Flammable liquids | Petrol, diesel, paraffin, paint, thinners |
| C | Flammable gases | LPG from a gas cylinder, heater or braai |
| D | Combustible metals | Magnesium, sodium, some metal shavings (rare at home) |
| F | Cooking oils and fats | A pan, potjie or deep-fryer of burning oil |
Electrical fires aren’t a separate class in this system, because electricity is a source of ignition rather than a fuel. Labels show suitability for electrical equipment separately, usually with a pictogram or a voltage note. Some suppliers and older materials call electrical fires “Class E”, and some describe Class C as electrical, so always read the specific label rather than relying on the letter alone.
The five extinguisher types
| Type | Rated for (typical) | How it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCP (dry chemical powder) | A, B, C. Many are marked for electrical equipment | A powder interrupts the chemical reaction of the fire | Messy residue; reduces visibility indoors; not for cooking oil fires |
| CO2 | B, electrical equipment | Displaces oxygen and cools slightly | Poor on class A solids; don’t use in small, closed rooms; the horn gets extremely cold, so hold the handle only |
| Foam | A, B | Forms a blanket over the fuel to smother it | Not for live electricity unless the label says so; not for cooking oil |
| Water | A only | Cools burning solids | Never on electrical, fat, oil, fuel or gas fires |
| Wet chemical | F, often A | Reacts with burning oil to form a soapy layer that seals and cools it | Not for electrical fires unless the label says so |
DCP: the all-rounder
The ABC DCP extinguisher is the most common type in South African homes, cars and businesses because it covers the widest range of fires. The trade-off is the fine powder it leaves behind, which can damage electronics and is hard to clean up. Our fire extinguisher guide covers sizes and where to mount one.
CO2: clean, but specialised
CO2 extinguishers leave no residue, which makes them a common choice near computers, server rooms and electrical boards. They’re less effective on burning solids, because once the gas disperses, hot material can re-ignite.
Foam and water
Water and foam extinguishers are mainly for class A fires (and foam for class B). They’re more common in offices and commercial buildings than in homes. Never use either on electrical equipment unless the label specifically allows it.
Wet chemical: for cooking oil
Burning oil is extremely dangerous because water turns instantly to steam and throws burning oil out of the pan. Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for class F fires and are standard in commercial kitchens. At home, a fire blanket is the simpler first line of defence for a pan fire.
Colour coding in South Africa: read the label
You may have seen charts showing coloured bands for each type, such as black for CO2, blue for powder, cream for foam and yellow for wet chemical. Those colours come from the UK and European convention, and some suppliers in South Africa use them on labels. We couldn’t confirm a single mandatory South African colour code, and in practice extinguishers here vary.
So don’t rely on colour. Every compliant extinguisher label should show:
- The agent (for example “ABC dry powder” or “carbon dioxide”)
- The fire classes it’s rated for, with letters and pictograms
- Whether it’s suitable for electrical equipment
- The mass or volume of agent, and operating instructions
- The manufacturer and the standard it’s certified to (portable extinguishers in buildings must comply with SANS 1910)
Take 30 seconds to read the label of every extinguisher in your home, car and workplace now, not during a fire.
How to use a fire extinguisher: the PASS method
Before you start, check three things: everyone is out or leaving, someone is calling for help (112 from a cellphone, or your saved municipal fire number), and your exit is behind you.
- P – Pull the safety pin. This breaks the tamper seal.
- A – Aim the nozzle or horn low, at the base of the fire, where the fuel is. Spraying the flames does little.
- S – Squeeze the handle steadily.
- S – Sweep from side to side across the base of the fire until it’s out.
Tips that matter
- Start about two to three metres away and move closer as the fire shrinks. Follow the distance on the label.
- Small extinguishers run out fast. A small DCP unit can empty in seconds. If the fire isn’t clearly shrinking, stop and leave.
- Don’t turn your back on a fire that seems out. Back away towards the exit and watch for re-ignition.
- Outdoors, stand with the wind behind you, so powder or gas blows towards the fire, not into your face.
- CO2 horns get freezing cold. Hold the handle and the insulated part only.
- Call the fire brigade anyway, even if you put the fire out. Hidden embers in walls, ceilings or furniture can flare up later.
- Recharge or replace the extinguisher after any use.
Type by fire: a quick decision table
| What’s burning | Use | Never use |
|---|---|---|
| Curtains, furniture, paper | DCP (ABC), water, foam | — |
| Pan of cooking oil | Fire blanket (heat off if safe), wet chemical | Water, and avoid DCP at close range |
| Petrol, paraffin, paint | DCP, foam, CO2 | Water |
| Gas leak on fire | Close the valve if safe, then DCP; otherwise leave | Water |
| Electrical appliance or DB board | Power off if safe; CO2 or DCP marked for electrical | Water, foam (unless label allows) |
| Lithium or solar battery | Get out and call for help | Don’t attempt it yourself |
Gas fires carry an extra risk: putting out the flame while gas is still flowing can leave an explosive cloud. Close the cylinder valve first if you can reach it safely. See our gas heater safety guide for leak checks and cylinder handling. For battery fires, see our lithium battery fire safety guide.
Get trained if you can
Reading about PASS is useful, but squeezing an extinguisher for the first time during a real fire is hard. Many fire equipment companies and training providers run short practical courses, and some workplaces offer them to staff. If you get the chance, take it. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions printed on your extinguisher.
FAQ
What are the main types of fire extinguisher?
Dry chemical powder (DCP), carbon dioxide (CO2), foam, water and wet chemical. DCP is the most common all-rounder for homes and cars, CO2 suits electrical equipment, and wet chemical is designed for cooking oil fires.
What does PASS stand for?
Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side. Only use it on a small fire with a clear exit behind you.
Which extinguisher should never be used on an electrical fire?
Water, and foam unless the label specifically says it’s safe on electrical equipment. Switch off the power if it’s safe to do so, then use a CO2 or DCP extinguisher marked for electrical fires.
What colour is a CO2 fire extinguisher in South Africa?
In the UK convention, CO2 extinguishers carry a black band, and some local suppliers follow that. We couldn’t verify a single compulsory South African colour code, so read the label for the agent and fire classes rather than relying on colour.
Is class C an electrical fire?
Under the international classification most labels follow, class C is flammable gas and electrical suitability is shown separately. Some local suppliers use “C” or “E” for electrical, so always check the pictograms on the label.
More fire safety at home guides
Car fire extinguisher guide: size, type, mounting and law
Do you need a fire extinguisher in your car in South Africa? What the traffic rules say, which size and type to carry, how to mount it, and when to walk away.
Fire blanket guide: how to use one on a pan or clothing fire
How a fire blanket smothers a pan fire, the right way to use one, which size to buy, where to mount it, and why you should never throw water on burning oil.
Fire extinguisher guide: choosing one for your SA home
Which fire extinguisher suits a South African home, what size to buy, where to mount it, how SANS 1475 servicing works, and when to leave and call for help.