Red band fire extinguisher: what water is for, and what it isn't
Every extinguisher has a red body, so a red band can be confusing. The red band marks water: the classic extinguisher for paper, wood and fabric, and the most dangerous one to pick for oil or electrics.
Contains: water; some models are water spray or water mist
Fire class: Class A: wood, paper, cloth, plastics and similar solids
Never on: burning fat or oil, flammable liquids, live electrical equipment
Usually found: offices, corridors, schools, hotels and shops
Red body, red band
BS EN 3 gives every UK extinguisher a red body, so "a red extinguisher" tells you nothing about what is inside. The type is shown by the coloured band or label. The red band is the one for water. If you want the full picture, our colour chart shows every band side by side.
How water works
Water puts out a fire by cooling the burning material below the temperature at which it can keep burning. That works well on solid fuels such as wood, paper, cloth, plastics and coal, the Class A fires. Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue lists these as the fires water is suited to.
What it must never be used on
- Burning cooking oil or fat. Water sinks below the oil and flashes to steam, throwing burning oil out of the pan.
- Live electrical equipment. Water conducts electricity, so you risk electric shock.
- Flammable liquids such as petrol. Water can spread the burning liquid.
This is why the red band is both the most common extinguisher and the one most often picked wrongly in a hurry.
Water spray and water mist
Some water extinguishers discharge a fine spray, often with additives. These are sold as water spray or water mist, and some are marketed as suitable near electrics or on several classes of fire. Fire services group them with water, and the colour used for them varies between models. Read the label, the rating and the pictograms, not just the band, and follow the manufacturer's limits.
How to use it safely
- Raise the alarm and check your escape route is behind you.
- Stand back at the distance on the label and aim at the base of the flames.
- Sweep from side to side until the flames are out.
- Check that embers and smouldering material are fully out, and watch for re-ignition.
Only fight a fire if it is small, you are trained, the alarm is raised and you have a clear exit behind you. Otherwise get out, stay out and call 999.
Where you will find one
Water extinguishers suit general-risk areas where the fuel is mainly paper, furniture and fabric: offices, corridors, classrooms, hotel landings and shops. Many premises pair them with a CO2 extinguisher beside electrical equipment. Placement is worked out in your fire risk assessment, and the units should hang on brackets, not sit on the floor.
Common mistakes
- Using the nearest red unit on a kitchen fire.
- Using water on a server cabinet or a plugged-in appliance.
- Spraying at the top of the flames instead of the base.
- Leaving the extinguisher on the floor, where it is hard to find in smoke.
Frequently asked questions
Is a red band extinguisher the same as an ordinary fire extinguisher?
It is the water type. All UK extinguishers have red bodies, and the band colour shows the contents. Red means water.
Can I use a water extinguisher on an electrical fire?
No. Water conducts electricity. Use a CO2 extinguisher, or isolate the power if you can do so safely.
What is a water mist extinguisher?
A water-based extinguisher that discharges a fine spray. Check its label for the classes it is rated for, because they vary by model.
Related guides
- Fire extinguisher colours and chart: what each band means
- Which fire extinguisher for which fire?
- Yellow band fire extinguisher: wet chemical for cooking oil fires
- Cream band fire extinguisher: foam and where it fits
- Black band fire extinguisher: CO2 for electrical and liquid fires
- Blue band fire extinguisher: dry powder, and the catch indoors
Do not get caught out by the colours
Extinguisher Match tests the exact mix-ups that cause problems, such as water on a fryer, under a countdown.
Play Hazard Hunt →Sources
- Fire extinguishers (Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service)
- Fire extinguishers (Avon Fire & Rescue Service)
- BS 5306-10:2019, colour coding of portable fire extinguishers (BSI)
This guide is for learning and applies to England & Wales. Always work from the current standards, the label on your own extinguisher and your fire risk assessment; Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent regimes.