The question of fire extinguishers containing fluorine is currently occupying many companies and private individuals. The reality is that the vast majority of foam extinguishers sold before 2024 contain fluorine-based extinguishing agents. There are both historical and technical reasons for this.
Why were fluorinated extinguishing agents used?
For a long time, fluorinated foam extinguishing agents were the standard in firefighting, especially for liquid fires. Their excellent extinguishing properties made them the first choice for manufacturers and users. The development can be divided into several phases:
- Until around 2014: Use of long-chain C8 fluorosurfactants
- 2014-2024: Switch to shorter C6 fluorosurfactants (PFHxA)
- From September 2024: Regulation of C6-based foaming agents through the REACH regulation
In addition, the EU has passed a regulation banning fire extinguishers containing fluorine. The following applies:
- From April 10, 2026, the use of fire extinguishers containing fluorine for training purposes and by public fire departments is no longer permitted.
- From October 10, 2026, fire extinguishers containing fluorine may no longer be placed on the market.
- Until 2030, fire extinguishers containing fluorine that were manufactured before the cut-off date may be used under a transitional arrangement.
How do I recognize fire extinguishers containing fluorine?
As a rule of thumb, almost all foam extinguishers purchased before 2024 contain fluorinated extinguishing agents.
The only exceptions are specially labeled “organic fire extinguishers”, which already dispensed with environmentally harmful additives before the EU ban The “organic fire extinguisher” label must be explicitly marked on the device.
What does this mean for existing fire extinguishers?
For owners of older foam fire extinguishers, the current situation presents a particular challenge. Unfortunately, simply replacing the extinguishing agent is not a practical solution. Once a fire extinguisher has been filled with an extinguishing agent containing fluorine, thorough cleaning is virtually impossible. Even if the extinguishing agent were replaced, it would not be possible to comply with the very low prescribed PFAS limit values.
Retrofitting is therefore often not possible and, if it is, not economically viable.
Are there options for retrofitting?
Switching to fluorine-free extinguishing agents is only possible under certain conditions:
- The foam concentrate must be in an undamaged cartridge or tube
- The fire extinguisher must never have been triggered before
- The inside wall of the container must not have come into contact with PFAS foam
Important: Even after retrofitting, the fire extinguisher must be type-tested in accordance with DIN EN3, which often makes it necessary to replace other components.
What happens next?
All German fire extinguisher manufacturers have already responded to this challenge and now offer high-performance solutions.
The new models are type-tested in accordance with DIN-EN3 and no longer contain PFAS additives, which means they will not be affected by future regulations. Most manufacturers have either already completed or are about to complete the changeover in production. For consumers and companies, this means that - with a few exceptions (e.g. alcohol-resistant extinguishing agents) - environmentally friendly and effective alternatives that meet the same high safety standards as their predecessors are already available when purchasing new fire extinguishers.
Important: Conversely, the change in production on the part of fire extinguisher manufacturers also means that it is no longer possible to replace the extinguishing agent in fluorine-containing foam extinguishers.
If you own a foam extinguisher that was purchased before 2024, it is highly likely that it contains fluorine - unless it is a specially labeled bio fire extinguisher. However, environmentally friendly alternatives are already available for the future that can fight fires just as reliably.
If you have any questions about retrofitting or replacing equipment, our experts in your region will be happy to advise you personally.