P50 Water Mist fire categories

[Guest Cupar Womble]

Hi there. Looking at extinguishers for home and wondering why P50 water mist extinguishers are not rated for categories B and C fires unlike most other water mist extinguishers. Can anyone advise?

[Rahel Lock]

Hi the manufacturer Britannia chose not to test for Class B and C as the rating would be quite low and people who actually have those fire risks would be better off with a different, more capable model like the A-Foam / B-Foam or Powder.

[AnthonyB]

On 28/10/2023 at 15:56, Guest Cupar Womble said:

Hi there. Looking at extinguishers for home and wondering why P50 water mist extinguishers are not rated for categories B and C fires unlike most other water mist extinguishers. Can anyone advise?

No water mist extinguisher can carry an official Class B rating as they can't meet the minimum performance requirements stated in the manufacturing standard EN3. They aren't unsafe but just poor performing - a 2L can obtain an 8B rating, 6 litre 21B, but the minimum they should achieve is 34B & 114B respectively. Likewise they can't claim official effectiveness against Class C fires as this is reserved for Powder extinguishers.

They still represent a very good choice for the home as they cover all the main domestic fire risks - ordinary combustibles, electrical equipment and cooking oils

[Guest Cupar Womble]

Thanks for the clarifications.