Why do different types of fire extinguishers are different colours?

Answer 1

The US has no standardized color system they use symbols. The colors are used in Europe with water being a solid red, foam red along a cream panel, dry powder is red with a blue panel, and red with a yellow panel is used with wet chemical.

Answer 2

Firstly, we don't need an apostrophe on "extinguishers"

As for Fire Extinguisher colours, that depends on what they contain, which determines which type of fires each type may be used to extinguish, thus:

a) Red (Water/Gas originally) - for solid fuel (i.e.wood/paper), fires - though this colour has now been adopted for other extinguishers.

b) Blue (Dry Powder) - for Wheel/Brake fires on aircraft.

c) Cream (Foam) - for liquid/fuel fires.

d) Black (Carbon Dioxide gas) - for electrical or fuel fires.

e) Green (Bromoclorodiflouromethane, or BCF) - for fuel/electrical fires.

Answer 3

the different colors mean what there used for. Here are the 4 extinguishers

A is for wood and paper fires only. Use water to put out fire.

b is for liquid fires. you will need a co2 extinguisher

c is electrical fires. co2 is needed 2.

d can put out a b and c fires.

Answer 4

Because of what is inside. Normally red and silver is what you will see.

Red: Contains Foam

Silver: Contains water.

Please see the related links as I added the types of extenguishers link to it.

Answer 5

A fire extinguisher can be used to put out any flames regardless of their color.

Answer 6

In Europe all the fire extinguishers are red (color RAL 3000).

For other countries see the link bellow.