Water extinguishers are used on solids such as wood, paper, fabrics and other A class fire risks. The water cools the fire and extinguishes it. It penetrates into burning fabrics and can extinguish pockets of fire even deep in the core of the fire. Water fire extinguishers do not contain any harmful chemicals and can safely be used near food, in areas where there are children present and near vulnerable adults. Refilling water extinguishers is cheap and uncomplicated. The fire fighting capacity of water is of course limited so that large water fire extinguishers are required to fight even small fires. If water extinguisher are to be used near electrical equipment we would recommend choosing water extinguishers with additives that stop the current flowing through the extinguisher spray and the resulting puddles.

Water extinguisher markings are the same red as the extinguisher body. To help identification, the id field on the water extinguisher is marked with a thick border and the words 'water extinguisher' or similar. To avoid any confusion we recommend that you install fire extinguisher signs above water extinguishers to emphasise the nature of the extinguisher and its important restrictions (eg on electricity).