I know what you’re thinking; “What the heck does caravan vlogger know about caravan fire extinguishers?!” You have a good point…

I’ll just start this article by saying I’m not a trained firefighter and I can’t offer any expert fire advice. However, as a caravanner I of course, have in the back of my mind that I’m holidaying in a fireglass, wood and plastic box, which could, no doubt, do very well as a feature at any bonfire party, should it burst into flames.

If your caravan did catch fire and you we unfortunate enough to be in it, what would you do? Well, if it was a large fire you’d dial 999 and run for the hills, but what it it was a small fire. I guess all fires start small! But what would you do? Run a tea towel under a tap and use that to dampen the fire? Blow on it? Pee on it?

OK, probably none of those options is sensible. What you should be doing is reaching for a What fire extinguisher is suitable for caravan? or maybe a fire blanket. What’s that? Don’t you have either? Oh dear, read on my friend…

We recently changed our caravan and it was a time for throwing away all the things we didn’t need anymore. If you’ve ever changed caravans you’ll understand this process. We sold our caravan first, before buying the new one, so had to take everything out and store it in the house.

Whilst going through this process, I came across our caravan fire extinguisher. I know we’d had it for ages, although I couldn’t remember how long. Thinking, “better safe than sorry,” I decided to replace it. I know, last of the big spenders. But which one should I buy, I could of course just buy the same one as I had before..

Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Advice

So I started to research. As I said earlier I’m not an expert. There seem to be a fire extinguisher for different types for fire? Anyway there is a standard:

BS (EN)3 and tested and approved by the British Standards Institute (BSI) or the Loss Prevention Council Certificate Board (LPCB) or approved by the British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE).

Well, that’s nice and easy, thanks for nothing! I guess I need to look for caravan fire extinguishers that comply with those standards.

BS (EN)3 recommends that extinguishers should be coloured entirely signal RED although a different colour-coded area (indicator) on the body may be used so that you can, at a glance, determine the contents, as follows:

Signal red = water
Pale cream = foam
French blue = powder
Carbon dioxide = black

Fire risks are classified according to the alphabet:

Class A	Involve most organic materials. Such as carbon, wood, textiles and paper
Class B	Petrol, diesel, solvents, paints and other flammable liquids
Class C	Butane and propane, flammable gases
Class D	Flammable metals
Class F	Cooking oils and fats

Looking at the class’s above, a fire extinguisher will be classed as suitable to extinguish certain fires, not something I ever knew.

( Most of the info above comes from Caravan and Motorhome Club website: ) https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/advice-for-beginners/fires/

CAMC’s website also says :

Although dry powder fire extinguishers are very effective in extinguishing all fires, they are not recommended for use in confined spaces such as caravans. We recommend that AFFF is the most effective for use on a caravan site.

What is and AFFF Fire Extinguisher?

Here’s one, rather than dry powder it’s foam. If you think about it logically, using a dry powder extinguisher in a caravan would be a) messy and b) you’d probably choke to death before the fire killed you.

So the above is the type of fire extinguisher CAMC recommend you buy and I wholeheartedly agree, I know jack shit about caravan fire extinguishers!

On the fire extinguisher page detailed above is says:

“This Fire Extinguisher offers protection against Class A and B type fires”

Which as you’ll no doubt remember A is Involve most organic materials. Such as carbon, wood, textiles and paper and B is Petrol, diesel, solvents, paints and other flammable liquids. That’s good, I hear you say. But is it. What about C. C is protection against Butane and propane, flammable gases

As a caravanner C sounds quite important right? However, I wouldn’t suggest you hang around spraying your already on fire gas bottle!

Types of Fire Extinguisher

Foam Fire Extinguishers

Most commonly used for class B fires (Petrol, diesel, solvents, paints and other flammable liquids), but as they are water based they can also be used for Class A fires (Involve most organic materials. Such as carbon, wood, textiles and paper). They should not be used for fires caused by flammable metals, kitchen fires and electrical fires.

Foam extinguishers create a cooling effect on the fuel that caused the fire. The foam creates a barrier between the fuel and the fire.

Water Fire Extinguishers

Mostly used in class A fires. In most cases you should have a water or a foam extinguisher. As with foam extinguishers it shouldn’t be used in kitchen fires caused by flammable gas or electric fires.

Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

These are also known as ABC extinguishers. Meaning they are suitable for class A, B and C fires. These should not be used in enclosed spaces (such as caravans) as it can easily be inhaled. It also makes a hell of a mess.

Wet Chemical Extinguishers

These are designed for Class F fires (Cooking oils and fats) They can also be used on Class A fires.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers

These are mainly used on electrical fires. They can also be effective on Class B fires.

One Fire Extinguisher For Every Fire?

Naive me was thinking, surely there’s a fire extinguisher that can be used on all types of fire and of course there is.

This is made by Firexo and can be used on 7 types of fire, the manufacturer claims “all types of fire”. This is where a bit of digging helps, or maybe confuses the issue. Firexo are CE marked, which means Europe are happy that they have passed whatever tests they need to. But they don’t have the British kite mark and the reasons are interesting. Firexo say :

Firexo is a global brand whereas the Kite Mark is more recognised in the UK. Firexo extinguishers are CE marked and the CE and Kite Marks are generally harmonised standards allowing us to feel safe in the knowledge that our product would gain the Kitemark when, and if we choose to apply for it in the future.

I don’t think the British kitemark people like Firexo. Maybe because Firexo won’t play ball. Which is probably why this extinguisher is silver, not red.

https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/blog/fire-and-flood-blog/fire-extinguishers-the-difference-between-ce-marking-and-the-bsi-kitemark/

I personally think this is a case of Britain thinking their tests are better than the rest of Europe and if you agree, then maybe Firexo isn’t for you.

Anyway, that’s just some information for you to make your own mind up. I’m happy with a fire extinguisher that can be used on all fires.

Other Fire Fighting Accessories

I also bought a fire blanket. Less controversy here.

Lastly, I bought another Fireox product. It’s a kitchen pan fire extinguisher sachet. Basically if you have a pan that catches fire you simply lay this in the pan and it puts out the fire.

I’ve just noticed this one that does ALL FIRE Types ABC, D, E and F (including Lithium-ion Battery Fires)

Best Selling Fire Extinguishers

Caravan Fire Extinguisher FAQs

What fire extinguisher is suitable for caravan?

When it comes to choosing a fire extinguisher for your caravan, it’s important to consider the size of the caravan and the types of fires that are most likely to occur.

For most caravans, a dry powder fire extinguisher with an ABC rating (suitable for fires involving solid materials, liquids, and gases) is a good choice. This type of extinguisher is effective against most common types of fires, including those that may occur in a caravan, such as those caused by electrical equipment, cooking appliances, or flammable liquids.

It’s important to note that a dry powder fire extinguisher can leave a residue that can damage electronics and other sensitive equipment. Therefore, it may be a good idea to have a separate carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher for use on electrical fires.

When choosing a fire extinguisher for your caravan, be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations and ensure that the extinguisher is approved for use in a caravan or other mobile accommodation. Additionally, make sure that the extinguisher is easily accessible and that everyone in the caravan knows how to use it in case of an emergency.

Where do you put a fire extinguisher in a caravan?

The placement of a fire extinguisher in a caravan is very important, as it needs to be easily accessible in case of an emergency. Here are some general guidelines for where to put a fire extinguisher in a caravan in the UK:

1. Mount the fire extinguisher on a secure bracket or holder, so it doesn’t move around while the caravan is in transit.
2. The best place to mount the fire extinguisher is near the caravan entrance or exit, where it can be easily reached in case of a fire.
3. Make sure that the fire extinguisher is located away from any potential heat sources, such as the stove, oven, or heater.
4. Do not mount the fire extinguisher in a location that is difficult to access, such as behind a cupboard or under a bed.
5. Finally, ensure that the fire extinguisher is clearly labeled and everyone in the caravan knows where it is located and how to use it in case of an emergency.

It’s important to note that the specific placement of a fire extinguisher may vary depending on the layout and size of your caravan, so it’s always best to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific recommendations.

Is it compulsory to have a fire extinguisher in a caravan?

In the UK, there is no legal requirement for caravans to have a fire extinguisher, but it is strongly recommended as a safety precaution. The Caravan and Motorhome Club, for example, recommends that all caravans should be equipped with a fire extinguisher that is appropriate for the size of the caravan, the types of potential fire risks, and which meets current British Standards.

While a fire extinguisher is not mandatory, it is important to remember that caravans can be particularly vulnerable to fire, due to their compact size and the presence of flammable materials such as gas canisters, cooking equipment, and soft furnishings. A fire extinguisher can help to contain a small fire before it gets out of control, potentially saving lives and property.

Therefore, it is strongly advised to have a fire extinguisher in your caravan and to ensure that it is easily accessible and in good working order.

What is the difference between AB and C fire extinguishers?

AB and C are ratings that refer to the type of fire that a fire extinguisher is designed to put out. Here’s what each rating means:

• Class A fires: involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, or cloth.
• Class B fires: involve flammable liquids or gases, such as petrol, oil, or propane.
• Class C fires: involve electrical equipment, such as motors, transformers, and appliances.

An AB fire extinguisher is designed to put out Class A and Class B fires, meaning it’s effective on fires involving ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids or gases. It uses a dry chemical agent, usually mono ammonium phosphate, to smother the fire.

A C fire extinguisher is designed to put out Class C fires, which involve electrical equipment. It uses a non-conductive agent, usually CO2 or dry chemical, to suppress the fire without conducting electricity.

Some fire extinguishers are designed to put out multiple types of fires and are labelled as ABC extinguishers. These are versatile and can be used on fires involving ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids or gases, and electrical equipment.

It’s important to choose the right type of fire extinguisher for the types of fires that are most likely to occur in your home or workplace, as using the wrong type of extinguisher can be ineffective or even dangerous.

Fire Extinguisher Vlog

*Last update on 2025-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API