AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foams) Foam Fire Extinguishers are suitable to fight burning solids such as wood as well as liquid fires such as burning petrol. The foam has the ability to creep over the burning liquid or to soak into burning materials such as settees. The water content in the foam cools the fire whilst the foam itself starves the fire of oxygen. Foam fire extinguishers are ideal in offices and homes. Care must, however, be taken when cleaning after after a foam discharge or when disposing of foam extinguishers, as the AFFF foam is carcinogenic and can poison surface water, such as rivers. The extinguishers should always be passed on for responsible recycling. Usually, your extinguiher servicing engineer will remove your old extinguishers against a small charge.

While the main body of a AFFF foam fire extinguisher is usually red, the identification field will be cream coloured.This helps to identify the foam extinguisher.