Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers

Commercial kitchens face unique fire hazards that standard fire extinguishers can't handle. Class F fires involve cooking oils, fats, and grease burning at extremely high temperatures – typically around 340°C. When these fires occur, using the wrong extinguisher can spread burning oil and exacerbate the situation.

The need for a wet chemical extinguisher

All Class F fire extinguishers must conform to British Standard BS7937. For fat fryers holding more than three litres of oil, you must have a Class F wet chemical extinguisher as a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are the only type of fire extinguisher suitable for a large volume of cooking oil – nothing else can be used safely. They work through a unique two-step process that makes them incredibly effective:

Instant cooling: The mist effect released from the nozzle cools the flames and partially removes the 'heat' side of the fire triangle.

Saponification: A chemical reaction occurs between the potassium salts and burning oil or fat, creating a soapy layer of foam that forms on top of the burning liquid, cutting off oxygen to the fire.

Businesses that need wet chemical fire extinguishers

You'll most commonly find wet chemical fire extinguishers in restaurants, hotels, chip shops and burger vans. Any business that uses cooking oil or fat that might combust requires this essential safety equipment.

Our customers include:

• Commercial restaurants and kitchens
• Fast food outlets and takeaways
• Hotels and hospitality venues
• Catering companies and mobile food vendors
• Care homes and institutional kitchens
• Schools and workplace canteens

What size wet chemical fire extinguisher do you need?

2L or 3L wet chemical extinguishers are suited for domestic kitchens, small commercial kitchens, or catering vans. A larger commercial kitchen or one with large quantities of oil, such as deep fat fryers, would require a 6L wet chemical extinguisher.

One 6-litre Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher is sufficient to contain a 75-litre fat fire burning at a blistering 340 degrees.

What fires can wet chemical fire extinguishers tackle?

All of our wet chemical fire extinguishers can also be used to tackle Class A fires. Many models are also dielectrically tested and approved for use on fires involving live electrical equipment - check the label on the front of each extinguisher to confirm. This makes them ideal for use in a kitchen environment.

• Class F fires: Cooking oils, fats, and grease.
• Class A fires: Paper, wood, cardboard, and textiles.
• Some models: Certain wet chemical fire extinguishers are also approved for use on Class B fires – those involving flammable liquids, such as gasoline, diesel and paint.

Recognising a wet chemical fire extinguisher

Wet chemical fire extinguishers have a yellow-coloured label stating 'Wet Chemical' and a longer-than-usual hose with a 'lance' attachment. This design allows you to apply the extinguishing agent from a safe distance.

What makes Safelincs' wet chemical fire extinguishers different?

At Safelincs, we pride ourselves on offering the latest, most innovative products, competitive pricing, and a commitment to ensuring that each and every customer is satisfied with their purchase.

British Standard compliance

All Class F fire extinguishers must conform to the British Standard BS 7937. Our range meets and exceeds these requirements.

Expert advice

Our UK-based customer service team is highly trained and is committed to supporting you and your unique requirements.

Complete solutions

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are often paired with fire blankets for full coverage of kitchen fires. We offer combination packages for total kitchen protection.

Are wet chemical fire extinguishers environmentally friendly?

Wet chemical extinguishing agents contain special additives that break down oil and fat compounds as they spread, producing less smoke and unpleasant smells that linger. Most fire extinguishers often leave dust residues or waste that cannot be washed away, but this is not a concern with wet chemical extinguishers.

Necessary regulations to note for 2025

From July 2025, fire extinguishers containing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) will no longer be permitted in the UK. This ban primarily affects AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) extinguishers, particularly older models manufactured before 2016. Wet chemical extinguishers use potassium-based solutions rather than fluorinated foams and are not directly targeted by the July 2025 PFOA ban. However, broader PFAS regulation is under review, and some wet chemical formulations have historically included fluorine-based compounds as additives - which is why we have developed a new P50 wet chemical fire extinguisher that contains no PFAS.

How often do wet chemical fire extinguishers need servicing?

Steel wet chemical fire extinguishers (like all steel fire extinguishers) require a service every year by a qualified technician and an extended service every 5 years (like foam, water and powder).

P50 Service-Free Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers do not require annual servicing or an extended service at 5 years. They need only a service-exchange after 10 years.

Safelincs extinguisher technicians are BAFE certified and will carry out extinguisher servicing in accordance with the relevant British Standard. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden costs.

Ready to protect your kitchen? Browse our comprehensive range of wet chemical fire extinguishers below, or contact our expert team on 0800 612 6537 for personalised advice on the ideal fire safety solution for your business.