Red or Chrome?

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher Finish for Your Building

Walk into most workplaces and you’ll see the familiar red fire extinguishers fixed near exits. But in some buildings — particularly offices, hotels, and heritage sites — you’ll notice something different: polished stainless steel or chrome-finish extinguishers.

They look smart and modern, but do they meet the same standards? And can you use them everywhere?

At Fletcher Risk, we often get asked this question during Fire Risk Assessments. The answer is simple — both red and chrome extinguishers can be fully compliant, but you need to understand what you’re choosing and why.

🔴 The standard red extinguisher

Red extinguishers are the UK standard.

Under BS EN 3, all approved portable fire extinguishers must be red in colour, with a small band (no more than 5% of the surface) showing the agent type — for example:

  • Cream for foam

  • Blue for dry powder

  • Black for CO₂

  • Yellow for wet chemical

This colour-coding helps users identify the right extinguisher quickly in an emergency. It’s instantly recognisable, even in low light or when under stress.

Advantages:

  • Fully compliant with UK and EU standards.

  • Easily identifiable for training and emergencies.

  • Often cheaper and more widely available.

Best for:

  • Offices, schools, warehouses, shops, and general workplaces.

  • Sites where clear visual recognition is more important than appearance.

🪞 Chrome extinguishers (stainless steel or polished aluminium)

“Chrome” extinguishers — technically polished stainless steel or brushed aluminium units — are designed for environments where appearance matters. They’re common in:

  • Hotels and restaurants

  • Listed or heritage buildings

  • Modern offices and lobbies

  • Design-led interiors

They’re available in the same types as standard extinguishers (water, foam, CO₂, powder, and wet chemical), and work exactly the same way — but they’re not red.

Because of that, they fall outside BS EN 3 colour-coding rules. To remain compliant, they must still:

  • Carry clear labelling and pictograms showing the fire classes they cover.

  • Be BS EN 3 tested and certified in all other respects (performance, safety, pressure).

  • Be included in your Fire Risk Assessment as a suitable alternative finish.

Advantages:

  • Aesthetically pleasing — blend into decorative or historic interiors.

  • Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and durable, ideal for damp or marine environments.

Considerations:

  • Slightly higher cost than standard red.

  • Staff training should emphasise the agent type, as colour cues are less visible.

  • Fire wardens and inspectors must be confident they’re correctly labelled and maintained.

⚖️ Compliance and practical advice

From a fire-safety perspective, there’s no difference in performance between red and chrome extinguishers. What matters is:

  • They meet BS EN 3 performance standards.

  • They’re correctly installed, maintained, and serviced.

  • Staff know which type is which and how to use them safely.

If you choose chrome units for aesthetic reasons, make sure:

  • The label is highly visible and easy to read.

  • Staff training covers extinguisher identification.

  • You document the decision in your Fire Risk Assessment, explaining that appearance was chosen to suit the setting without compromising safety.

🧠 When appearance and safety need to align

For buildings open to the public — especially heritage sites or high-end interiors — it’s reasonable to consider visual impact. Stainless steel extinguishers can blend discreetly with decor while still offering full protection.

However, remember: function always comes first.
A fire extinguisher must be instantly recognisable and accessible — not hidden, covered, or placed where signage is unclear.

If you need an alternative finish, it’s usually possible to combine safety and design, but it should always be approved by a competent fire-safety professional.

🔧 How Fletcher Risk can help

At Fletcher Risk, we help clients choose fire-safety solutions that balance compliance, usability, and appearance.

Our team can:

  • Review extinguisher types and placement as part of your Fire Risk Assessment.

  • Advise on chrome and stainless-steel extinguisher suitability for heritage or design-led buildings.

  • Ensure your system meets BS EN 3 and local authority expectations.

  • Provide independent recommendations — we don’t sell equipment, so our advice is objective.

Whether your premises are historic or modern, our goal is the same: safe, compliant, and well-presented fire protection.

🔑 The key takeaway

Both red and chrome fire extinguishers can meet the same performance standards — but only if correctly certified, labelled, and managed.

Choose red for clarity and universal recognition; choose chrome for design-led spaces where you’re confident staff are well trained.

Whichever you prefer, document your choice, keep it maintained, and ensure your team knows exactly what each extinguisher is for.

👉 Contact us for impartial advice on extinguisher selection and fire-safety compliance.

Fletcher Risk Team - 7 November 2025

Disclaimer:
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fire-safety requirements may vary depending on your building and local authority. For specific guidance or a formal Fire Risk Assessment, please contact Fletcher Risk or a qualified fire-safety professional.

Tim Fletcher