How to Use a Water Mist Fire Extinguisher

Check the symbols on the front of the extinguisher to determine what type of fire it can be used on. Most water mist fire extinguishers are suitable for use on class A, class B, class C, class F* and fires involving electrical equipment.

Only tackle small fires with an extinguisher. If the fire has taken hold do not fight the fire but evacuate immediately and warn others of the fire, then call the fire and rescue service. If you tackle the fire make sure you stay at a safe distance and follow the instructions below.

1. Pull the safety pin (Fig.3), this will break the tamper seal.
2. Squeeze the lever to start discharging the extinguisher.
3. Aiming the extinguisher nozzle:
   • Solid Materials: Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames, moving across the area of the fire
   • Flammable liquids: Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames, moving across the area of the fire
   • Burning gas: Switch off the gas supply as soon as you can! Aim the water mist at the flare to extinguish
   • Deep fat fryer fires and fat fires: Turn off the heat source if safe to do so. Apply the fine spray in slow circular movements. This allows the water mist curtain to fall gently onto the surface of the fire and helps to prevent hot oils or fats splashing the user or spreading the fire.
   • Electrical equipment: Switch off the power first (if safe to do so). Water mist extinguishers (link) can be used safely on live electrical fires up to 1000V. Keep a safety distance of 1m and aim at the base of the fire.
4. Once the fire is extinguished, carefully scan for re-ignition.

Please Note: We do not recommend using water mist on anything above a 5F rated fire (this is equivalent to an average domestic deep fat fryer). For fires above a 5F rating we recommend a wet chemical extinguisher.