Fire Extinguisher Selector Tool — What Type Do I Need?
Choosing the wrong type of fire extinguisher can make a fire worse, not better. Different fire types — burning wood, cooking oil, flammable liquids, electrical equipment — each require a specific extinguisher. This tool gives you an instant recommendation based on where the extinguisher will be used.
Select your environment below to see the recommended type, size, placement rules and relevant Australian Standard.
Where will the fire extinguisher be used?
Recommendation for: Home or apartment
ABE Dry Powder — 2.5kg
ABE powder covers the three most common home fire types — burning furniture, bedding or curtains (Class A), petrol or solvent spills in the garage (Class B), and electrical fires from appliances and wiring (Class E). A 2.5kg unit gives you approximately 14–15 seconds of discharge time versus 8–10 seconds for a 1kg — a meaningful difference in a real fire. Mount near the exit of the kitchen or living area, not next to the cooktop (heat and grease damage the extinguisher over time).
Recommendation for: Domestic kitchen
ABE Dry Powder — 2.5kg + Fire Blanket
For a domestic kitchen, a 2.5kg ABE extinguisher paired with a fire blanket covers the full range of home fire risks. The fire blanket is your first response for a cooking oil or pan fire — place it over the pan, turn off the heat, and leave it for at least 30 minutes. It smothers the fire without the risk of spreading hot oil. The ABE extinguisher handles everything else: burning curtains or fittings (Class A), a gas hob leak (Class B), or an electrical appliance fire (Class E). Mounting the extinguisher near the kitchen exit — not directly beside the cooktop — means you can reach it safely even if a fire starts at the stove.
Recommendation for: Office or retail
ABE Dry Powder — 2.5kg (minimum)
Office and retail fires most commonly involve Class A materials (paper, cardboard, furniture, fittings) and Class E electrical fires (computers, servers, wiring). ABE powder covers both. Under AS 2444, the maximum travel distance to any extinguisher in a workplace is 15 metres. For a server room, electrical switchboard or data room, consider CO2 instead — it leaves no residue and won’t damage equipment.
Recommendation for: Workshop, garage or warehouse
ABE Dry Powder — 2.5kg or larger
Workshops, garages and warehouses typically present Class B risks (petrol, diesel, solvents, paints) alongside Class A and electrical hazards. ABE powder is the standard choice because it covers all three. For areas with significant flammable liquid storage, position extinguishers at entry points and near each hazard source — not directly next to the hazard, where a fire would block access.
Recommendation for: Vehicle, caravan or boat
ABE Dry Powder — 1kg (minimum) or 2.5kg (recommended)
A fire in a vehicle, caravan or boat escalates fast — there is no time to find an extinguisher you can’t immediately reach. The bracket is as important as the extinguisher: an unsecured unit becomes a projectile under heavy braking. ADR 44/01 requires motorhome extinguishers to be mounted in the living space, no higher than 1.2 metres from the floor, in a readily visible and accessible position. A 2.5kg unit gives roughly double the discharge time of a 1kg and is the recommended choice for larger caravans and motorhomes where space allows.
Recommendation for: Commercial kitchen or restaurant
Wet Chemical (primary) + ABE Dry Powder (secondary)
Commercial kitchens need a wet chemical extinguisher near the cooking line as the primary unit — it is the only type rated for Class F cooking oil fires. A secondary ABE dry powder extinguisher covers the broader kitchen environment: Class A fires (rubbish, cardboard, timber), Class B (flammable liquids), and Class E (electrical equipment). ABE covers more fire types than CO2, making it the better general-purpose secondary choice. Be aware that ABE powder is messy and will contaminate food and equipment — for kitchens with high-value food stock, consider adding a CO2 extinguisher as a complement to reduce contamination risk where appropriate.
Commercial kitchens are workplaces under the WHS Act 2011. AS 1851 requires 6-monthly inspection and annual service by a licensed technician. A licensed fire protection company should assess the full fit-out for your specific building class and council requirements.
Quick Reference: Fire Classes and Extinguisher Types
| Fire class | What it involves | Correct extinguisher |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Wood, paper, fabric, plastics, most combustibles | Water, foam, ABE powder, wet chemical |
| Class B | Flammable liquids — petrol, diesel, oils, paints, solvents | Foam, ABE powder, CO2 |
| Class C | Flammable gases — LPG, natural gas, acetylene | ABE powder (shut off gas supply first) |
| Class E | Electrical equipment — appliances, wiring, switchboards | CO2, ABE powder (not water or foam) |
| Class F | Cooking oils and fats (deep fryers, woks) | Wet chemical only |
Sources: AS 2444-1985 — Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets: selection and location; AS 1851-2012 — Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment; Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 44/01); Caravan Industry Association of Australia Code of Practice; WHS Regulations 2017, Part 3.1. Sourced via live web search 2026-06-24.
