Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher Color! Red vs. Green: What's the Difference?
🔴 Red Fire Extinguisher (Dry Chemical)
Types of fire it can extinguish: Covers Class A (wood/paper), Class B (flammable liquids/gases), and Class C (electrical equipment).
What happens when sprayed: It discharges a cloud of white chemical dust that interrupts the chemical reaction of the fire.
Important precautions: The chemical dust is very difficult to clean up. If it gets into electronic circuit boards, it will cause short circuits, corrosion, and permanent damage. The powder cloud can also obscure vision during an evacuation.
Suitable areas: General residences, parking garages, warehouses, open spaces, or areas without sensitive electronic equipment.
Key advantages: Affordable, easy to find, and cost-effective for basic fire protection.
🟢 Green Fire Extinguisher (Clean Agent)
Types of fire it can extinguish: Covers Class A, B, and C fires, just like the red extinguisher.
What happens when sprayed: It discharges a chemical in the form of a gas or liquid that evaporates instantly into the air (modern ones use ozone-friendly or Non-CFC agents).
Key advantages: Leaves absolutely no residue after use, meaning no cleanup is required. Most importantly, it is "100% safe for electronics"—it will not short-circuit circuit boards and does not obscure your vision while fighting the fire.
Suitable areas: Server rooms, computer rooms, dental clinics, laboratories, or spaces with expensive machinery and equipment.
Considerations: Significantly more expensive than red fire extinguishers.
