If you look after fire extinguishers, you have probably seen PFAS in the headlines again this year, along with the suggestion that foam extinguishers are about to be banned. The real position is narrower than that, and it is worth having straight before you commit to replacing anything.
What PFAS are, and why they matter here
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of manufactured chemicals. Some have been used in firefighting foams, where they form a film across a liquid fuel surface and hold down flammable vapours. Not every foam extinguisher contains them. (HSE background document)
The problem is persistence. Many PFAS break down very slowly. HSE has concluded that PFAS in firefighting foams present a risk to the environment, and to human health via the environment, that existing controls do not adequately manage.
What is already law
PFOA, the older long-chain chemistry, is restricted under the POPs Regulation. The transition period ended on 4 July 2025, so any extinguisher or fixed system holding foam with PFOA above the permitted trace limits should already be out of service.
The Fire Industry Association is clear that refilling an old unit does not resolve this on its own. Residues can remain above the limits unless the unit has been properly cleaned first.
Newer C6 fluorotelomer AFFF is a different matter. There is currently no legal restriction on its supply or refilling in Great Britain. We covered the July 2025 changes in more detail here.
How do I know whether my extinguisher is affected?
Not by looking at it, unfortunately. The label will tell you the extinguishing medium, and some older units are marked AFFF or film-forming, but nothing on the outside reliably tells you whether the foam inside contains PFAS.
Three things do help. The date of manufacture, which is on the unit. The service record, which should show what it was last refilled with and when. And your servicing provider or the manufacturer, either of whom can confirm the foam concentrate used.
One thing worth repeating here: if an older unit has been refilled at some point, that does not by itself clear the PFOA position. Residues can remain unless the unit was properly cleaned first.
The restriction under discussion is about firefighting foams. If you are unsure whether a particular unit falls within that, your servicing provider is the person to ask.
What is being proposed
This is about PFAS in firefighting foams in Great Britain, and nothing wider. HSE published its restriction report in August 2025 and consulted on it until February 2026. In June 2026 it published its Agency Opinion, concluding that a restriction on placing PFAS-containing firefighting foam on the market, and on its use, is appropriate. A further 60-day consultation, this time on the draft socioeconomic opinion, closed on 7 September 2026.
That is not the end of the process. HSE's opinions go to the Defra Secretary of State, together with the Scottish and Welsh Governments, who decide whether to bring a restriction into law. No date is set. Nothing changes for equipment already in service on the strength of the consultation alone.
What to do now
Start with your fire risk assessment, not your purchase order. Work out which extinguishers you have and what risk each one covers.
Your servicing provider can advise on handling and disposal for anything that needs to come out. Where you are already replacing or specifying equipment, PFAS-free options are worth considering. Beyond that we would rather not guess, because the final scope of any restriction, and the transitional arrangements that come with it, have not been settled.
What we would not advise is scrapping serviceable, compliant equipment because of a headline.
Where PureSafe® fits
Every extinguisher in the Firechief® PureSafe® range uses an extinguishant that contains no PFAS. The range covers fluorine-free foam in 2L, 6L and 9L, polished 6L and 9L for design-led interiors, a 6L F Class unit, and water mist from 2L to 9L.
Fire ratings vary across the range, so the right model depends on the risks your assessment identifies. Our technically qualified team can talk it through with you.
In addition to our PFAS-free PureSafe® range, the Firechief® range of fire safety products also includes lithium-ion battery extinguishers and blankets, extinguisher stands, suppression systems, signage and fire safety products for all types of fires. For information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
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Disclaimer
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and, where necessary, to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.