There are five distinct types of fire extinguishers, each identifiable by specific color codes.
Red - Water-based
Creme - Foam-based
Blue - Powder-based
Black - CO2 or carbon dioxide-based
Yellow - Wet chemical-based
The type of fire extinguisher required is determined by the class of fire being dealt with.
Class A - Combustible materials (e.g., paper, wood) Recommended extinguishers - Red, Creme, Blue, and Yellow. (Avoid using Black)
Class B - Flammable liquids (e.g., paint, petrol, alcohol) Recommended extinguishers - Creme, Blue, and Black. (Avoid using Red or Yellow)
Class C - Flammable gases (e.g., butane, methane) Recommended extinguishers - Blue (Avoid using Red, Creme, Black, or Yellow)
Class D - Flammable metals (e.g., lithium, potassium) Recommended extinguishers - Blue (Avoid using Red, Creme, Black, or Yellow)
Class F - Deep fat fryers (e.g., chip pans) Recommended extinguishers - Yellow (Avoid using Red, Creme, Blue, or Black)
Electrical - any kind of electrical device
(e.g., computers, generators) Recommended extinguishers - Blue and Black (Avoid using Red, Creme, or Yellow)