Close-up of commercial fire extinguishers showing BS EN 3 colour-coded bands

Fire Extinguisher Colours & Identification Standards

Instant visual recognition of Signal Red (Water), Cream (AFFF Foam), Jet Black (CO₂), French Blue (Dry Powder), and Canary Yellow (Wet Chemical) colour bands.

Every portable fire extinguisher in Ireland has a Signal Red cylinder body with a 5–10% colour-coded shoulder band so staff can identify the correct agent within seconds.

Phil: 083 1941701

Dublin Office: 01 9081706info@firepointservices.ieNSAI I.S. 291 Certified

Water Band

Signal Red (Class A)

Foam & CO₂ Bands

Cream & Jet Black

Powder & Wet Chem

French Blue & Yellow

ID Signage Standard

Photoluminescent I.S. 291

BS EN 3 Colour Band Reference

All 5 Official Irish Fire Extinguisher Colour Codes at a Glance

Each colour band is paired with mandatory wall-mounted ID signage to prevent dangerous misuse on live electrical or commercial cooking oil fires.

Signal Red

Water

Classes: Class A

Use On:

Wood, timber, and joinery materials

Never Use On:

Live electrical equipment or server racks (electro-conduction hazard)

Cream Band

AFFF Foam

Classes: Class A · Class B

Use On:

Solid combustibles: wood, paper, textiles, and plastics (Class A)

Never Use On:

Commercial kitchen deep fat fryers (Class F)

Jet Black Band

CO₂ Gas

Classes: Class B · Electrical

Use On:

Live electrical switchboards, servers, computers, and AV systems

Never Use On:

Deep fat fryers or commercial cooking oil fires (jet stream splashes hot oil)

French Blue Band

Dry Powder

Classes: Class A · Class B · Class C · Electrical

Use On:

Organic solids: timber, pallets, and textiles (Class A)

Never Use On:

Enclosed offices, corridors, or public interiors (impairs vision and breathing)

Canary Yellow Band

Wet Chemical

Classes: Class F · Class A

Use On:

Deep fat fryers, woks, and commercial cooking oils/fats (vegetable, olive, lard)

Never Use On:

Flammable gas leaks (isolate gas supply valve first)

I.S. 291:2015 & BS EN 3 Technical GuideRepublic of Ireland Standard

Fire Extinguisher Colour Coding & Identification

Under European Standard BS EN 3 and Irish Standard I.S. 291:2015, all portable fire extinguishers feature a Signal Red body with a dedicated colour-coded zone covering 5–10% of the cylinder surface to identify the extinguishing agent.

Select a BS EN 3 colour band or extinguisher agent to inspect full I.S. 291 specifications:

Showing 5 of 5 certified agents

BS EN 3 · I.S. 291 Class AMax 10 Yr Lifespan

BS EN 3 Colour BandWATER

FIRE POINT13A

Classes: Class A

I.S. 291 SERVICED2026 OK

Safety Pin & Neck Ring

Tamper seal & I.S. 291 neck ring fitted after discharge/refill

Signal Red

Identifies Water agent instantly in low visibility

I.S. 291 Service Tag

Annual engineer inspection record & digital asset ID

Sizes: 6 Litre / 9 LitreRange: 4.0–6.0 mDischarge: 45–65 sec

Colour Band: Signal Red · Rating: 13A / 21A / 27A · Classes: Class A

Water Fire Extinguisher

The foundational Class A unit for offices, schools, retail stores, and warehouses storing paper, timber, textiles, and cardboard packaging.

Extinguishing Action

Rapid thermal cooling below ignition point of organic solids

Standard Capacities

6 Litre · 9 Litre

I.S. 291 Lifespan & Test

Yr 5 Test · 10 Yr Max

Approved & Safe For Use On

Wood, timber, and joinery materials
Paper, archival records, and cardboard packaging
Fabrics, curtains, upholstery, and soft furnishings
General office and classroom combustible waste

Do Not Use On (Hazard Warning)

Live electrical equipment or server racks (electro-conduction hazard)
Flammable liquids such as petrol, paint, or solvents (Class B)
Commercial deep fat fryers or cooking oils (Class F)
Flammable gas installations (Class C)

Typical Irish Workplace Applications:

Corporate offices & reception areas · Primary & secondary schools · High-street retail & drapery stores · Paper & packaging storage depots

Complete BS EN 3 & I.S. 291:2015 Extinguisher Comparison Matrix

Filter by workplace fire hazard class to verify which colour-coded unit meets your insurance and HSA obligations.

Extinguisher Type	BS EN 3 Colour Band	Fire Classes	Capacities	Working Range	I.S. 291 Extended Test
Water Fire Extinguisher	Signal Red	Class A	6 Litre, 9 Litre	4.0–6.0 m	Every 5 Years (10 Yr Max)
AFFF Foam Fire Extinguisher	Cream Band	Class A · Class B	2 Litre, 6 Litre, 9 Litre	3.5–5.0 m	Every 5 Years (10 Yr Max)
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Extinguisher	Jet Black Band	Class B · Electrical	2 kg, 5 kg	1.5–3.0 m	Every 10 Years (10 Yr Max)
ABC Dry Powder Extinguisher	French Blue Band	Class A · Class B · Class C · Electrical	1 kg, 2 kg, 6 kg, 9 kg	3.5–6.0 m	Every 5 Years (10 Yr Max)
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher	Canary Yellow Band	Class F · Class A	2 Litre, 3 Litre, 6 Litre	2.5–4.0 m	Every 5 Years (10 Yr Max)

Next Engineering Step

Calculate How Many Extinguishers Your Floor Plan Requires

Open Installation Page

I.S. 291 Colour-Coded Extinguishers & Photoluminescent Signage Across Dublin

Every commercial building in Dublin and surrounding counties must pair BS EN 3 colour-coded fire extinguishers with clear photoluminescent wall identification signage so staff never use the wrong unit on a live electrical or cooking oil fire.

Dublin City, North, South & West

During our Dublin site surveys, we audit your existing extinguishers for faded labels, missing colour-coded ID signs, and mismatched hazard coverage — upgrading your fire points to full NSAI I.S. 291:2015 compliance.

Kildare, Meath, Wicklow & Louth

Serving offices, schools, retail stores, and warehouses across Dublin City, Sandyford, Tallaght, Swords, Blanchardstown, Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow.

Fast Local Site Surveys & Engineer Support

Book a free colour-coding and signage compliance check in Dublin on 01 9081706.

Local Dublin & Leinster Specialisms:

Fire Extinguisher Colour Code Ireland
Fire Extinguisher Signage Dublin
IS 291 Fire Point Signs Dublin
CO2 Black & Foam Cream Extinguishers Dublin

Dublin: 01 9081706