Extinguisher finder tool is now live
The new Extinguisher Finder tool helps you identify the correct type of fire extinguisher for your situation — whether you are following US NFPA or EN/UK classifications. No sign-up, no download, no charge.
Try the Extinguisher finder →Why we built it
The most common extinguisher mistake is using the wrong agent for the fire type — particularly using water or foam on a cooking oil fire, or an ABC dry-powder unit on a deep-fat fryer. According to NFPA cooking fire data, the kitchen is the leading location for home fires. The second most common mistake is buying a US-classified extinguisher for a UK installation (or vice versa) without realising the class letters mean different things.
The Extinguisher Finder addresses both problems with a simple region-first flow: choose US (NFPA) or EN/UK, select your fire type, and the tool shows the correct agent, what to look for on the label, and a note on any critical limitations.
What it covers
US NFPA system
Classes A, B, C, D, K — correct agent for each, with NFPA 10 references.
EN / UK system
Classes A, B, C, D, F — BS EN 2 and BS 5306 colour-band codes shown.
Electrical fire guidance
Both regions: which agents are safe on live equipment, and why water is never appropriate.
Cooking fire (K / F)
Wet-chemical extinguisher guidance with saponification explained in plain language.
Related tools and guides
The Extinguisher Finder sits on the Tools page alongside the Home Risk self-check and the Escape Plan builder. If you want to understand the fire class system in more depth before using the tool, the Fire classes glossary page covers the full comparison of US and EN classifications, and the Fire tetrahedron glossary entry explains why different agents work on different types of fire.
Tool built from: NFPA 10 (2022) · BS EN 2:1992+A1:2004 · BS 5306
Extinguisher tool FAQ
Questions about the Extinguisher finder
No. The tool gives educational guidance based on fire class and extinguisher type, following NFPA 10 and BS EN 2 / BS 5306. For commercial premises, a fire-risk assessment by a qualified assessor is a legal requirement — the tool is a starting point for understanding, not a substitute for professional advice.
In the UK, BS 5306-3 requires an annual service by a competent engineer, plus a basic monthly visual check by the premises owner. In the US, NFPA 10 requires an annual maintenance inspection and a monthly visual check. Most extinguishers also require a hydrostatic pressure test every 5–12 years depending on type.
No. Water and foam extinguishers must never be used on live electrical equipment — water conducts electricity and can cause electrocution. CO₂ and dry-powder extinguishers are safe on electrical fires. The first priority is always to cut the power supply if it is safe to do so. The Extinguisher finder explains which agents are safe for each fire type based on your region.