Wrong Fire Extinguisher Placement

The wrong extinguisher in the wrong place can cost you money, compliance, and real protection when it counts.

We recently came across a purple-labelled Class D extinguisher sat next to a warehouse packing station. For those not fluent in extinguisher types – that’s meant for specialist metal fires. Not cardboard, not packaging, and definitely not day-to-day risks.

Cost to the client? Likely £250+. Coverage provided? Close to zero.

Why It Happens

Too often, fire safety is handled by contractors who don’t listen to the environment they’re installing into – or simply reuse stock they’re trying to shift. It’s a dangerous practice that can lead to:

Equipment being completely ineffective in an emergency
Compliance breaches under BS 5306-8
Wasted spend on over-specified or unsuitable kit
False confidence among staff and safety leads

What Should’ve Been Installed?

For general fire risks (e.g. cardboard, paper, packaging), the typical extinguisher choices are:

Water or Foam for Class A fires
CO₂ for electrical risks
ABC Dry Powder only in open/outdoor areas (due to visibility and inhalation risks)

Each extinguisher type has a specific use case – and BS 5306 outlines clear placement guidance.

How We Handle It

At Velocity Safety, we install fire extinguishers that match the risks – and label, commission, and site them in line with BS 5306. No mystery metals. No leftover stock. Just the right kit for the job.

We keep your extinguishers compliant through routine servicing, audits, and maintenance as your site changes. Whether you’re based in:

Our engineers provide local support backed by full compliance and certification.

Got the wrong extinguisher type sitting on site? Or expired units gathering dust? We can remove and dispose of them safely, with full paperwork included.

👉 Learn more about our Fire Extinguisher Servicing process
👉 See how our Fire Extinguisher Disposal service works