Fire Extinguishers & Fire Safety Equipment in Sydney

ARCK Electrical stocks the full range of ABE dry chemical powder fire extinguishers - from 0.75kg vehicle units to 25kg mobile wheeled units - plus lithium-ion battery kits (trained professionals only), fire blankets, and the fire safety signage that goes with them. All on the shelf at our North Parramatta trade counter, with same-day pick-up or Australia-wide freight.

This page is the trade reference for choosing the right unit, the rules that govern servicing, and what we keep in stock.

What we stock

Category	Sizes available	Typical use
ABE Dry Chemical Powder	0.75kg, 1kg, 1.5kg, 2kg, 2.5kg, 4.5kg, 9kg	Vehicle, office, workshop, retail, residential
ABE Mobile Wheeled	25kg	Warehouses, industrial sites, large commercial
Lithium-Ion Fire Solution	4L, 9L	EV charging areas, battery storage rooms, e-bike workshops (trained professionals only)
Fire Blankets	1m x 1m, 1.2m x 1.2m, 1.8m x 1.8m	Kitchens, workshops, vehicle fit-outs
Brackets & Vehicle Mounts	Various	Tradies' utes, plant rooms, switchrooms
Fire Safety Signage	PVC and metal, multiple sizes	Door signs, "do not obstruct", exit signage

Choose the right ABE extinguisher

ABE means the unit is rated for Class A (combustibles like wood and paper), Class B (flammable liquids), and Class E (electrical fires up to 1000V). For an electrical site that's almost always the right rating - one unit covers the bench, the cabling, and the switchgear.

Quick sizing rule of thumb:

• 0.75kg-1kg - vehicle, ute, small office
• 1.5kg-2kg - workshop bench area, retail counter, kitchen-adjacent
• 2.5kg-4.5kg - typical site / unit / commercial space (most common pick)
• 9kg - larger commercial or industrial space, primary unit on a multi-room property
• 25kg mobile wheeled - warehouses, plant rooms, sites with significant fire load - wheeled because no-one's lifting a 25kg unit overhead under pressure

For a typical electrician's ute or work van, a 2.5kg ABE sits comfortably in the cargo bay and ticks the regulatory box for vehicle-borne fire safety. We stock vehicle brackets to match.

Lithium-ion fire - different chemistry, different unit

A lithium-ion battery fire is a thermal runaway event. Standard dry powder slows it down but doesn't reliably stop it. The cell can re-ignite minutes or hours later. Sites with EV chargers, e-bike batteries, solar storage or battery-pack workshops may choose to keep a lithium-ion-specific extinguisher in the cabinet for use by trained professionals.

We stock the Li-Ion Fire Solution Extinguisher range in 4L and 9L - water-based formulation that the manufacturer reports cools the cell below thermal runaway temperature and forms a film over the casing to help prevent re-ignition (manufacturer testing only). Australian-supplied. The extinguisher’s AS/NZS 1841.2 approval covers Class A fires only — there is no Australian Standard for lithium-ion battery (LIB) fires, and LIB performance has not been tested under any Australian Standard.

Whether your customer needs one comes down to the install:

• EV chargers in a garage or workshop ? yes
• Battery storage installations ? yes
• E-bike / e-scooter retail or repair ? yes
• Standard household / commercial without lithium concentration ? standard ABE is fine

Fire blankets

A blanket smothers fires that would be made worse by water or dry powder - kitchen oil fires being the obvious one, but also small electrical fires in confined spaces. Sizing is by hazard:

• 1m x 1m - domestic kitchen, workbench
• 1.2m x 1.2m - small commercial kitchen, larger bench area
• 1.8m x 1.8m - commercial kitchen, industrial workshop, vehicle fit-outs

Servicing and inspection - AS 1851

Australian Standard AS 1851 governs routine service of fire safety equipment. The short version for a tradie installing or supplying extinguishers:

• Monthly visual check - gauge in the green, pin and seal intact, no obvious damage
• 6-monthly service by a competent service agent - formal inspection, pressure check, weight check
• 5-year pressure test - hydrostatic test or replacement
• Permanent replacement at the manufacturer's stated end-of-life (typically 20 years on the cylinder, less on the propellant)

We sell the equipment. We don't service it - but we work with several Sydney service agents and can recommend one for ongoing maintenance.

Compliance

Australian Standard AS 1841 governs the construction and rating of portable fire extinguishers; AS/NZS 2444 governs selection and placement. For electrical installations under AS/NZS 3000, a Class E-rated extinguisher (the "E" in ABE) is the correct choice for switchrooms, plant rooms, and other electrical hazard areas.

If you're specifying for a job, check the building's fire safety schedule for required type, size, and placement. We can supply to the spec; placement and certification on the install is the responsibility of the licensed installer.

FAQ

Q. What size fire extinguisher do I need for a typical residential or small commercial site? A. A 2.5kg ABE dry chemical powder unit is the most common pick - covers electrical, flammable liquids and ordinary combustibles, light enough to wall-mount in a kitchen, garage or office, and meets most council and insurance requirements for a small commercial space. For larger areas (warehouses, multi-room commercial), step up to 4.5kg or 9kg as your primary unit.

Q. How often does a fire extinguisher need to be serviced? A. Per AS 1851, a competent service agent must inspect and service every six months. Monthly visual checks are the owner's responsibility - gauge in the green, pin and seal intact, no corrosion or damage. A full hydrostatic pressure test is required every 5 years. Past 20 years on the cylinder, the unit is replaced.

Q. Can I use a standard ABE extinguisher on a lithium-ion battery fire? A. ABE will partially knock down a small lithium-ion fire but it doesn't reliably stop thermal runaway - the cell can re-ignite. For EV charging areas, battery storage, or any concentrated lithium-ion environment, a dedicated Li-Ion Fire Solution Extinguisher (water-based) is an option for trained professionals — these units are recommended for use by trained professionals only, and there is no Australian Standard for lithium-ion battery fires. Members of the public should not attempt to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire: evacuate and call Triple Zero (000). We stock the 4L and 9L units.

Q. Do you sell to homeowners or trade only? A. Both. Walk in, order online, or call the counter - we'll quote either way. Trade pricing is built into our pricing structure for the wholesale lines we carry.

Q. Can you deliver extinguishers Australia-wide? A. Yes - we ship via specialised freight for pressurised cylinders. Wheeled 25kg units go on dedicated pallet freight. Call the counter for a quote on (02) 9890 9693.

Order from ARCK

Phone: (02) 9890 9693 - counter staff, fastest path Email: sales@arckelectrical.com.au - include sizes and quantities In person: 589 Church Street, North Parramatta NSW 2151 Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-5pm, Sat 7:30am-1pm

Bulk orders and project quotes welcome - we supply commercial fit-outs, body corporates, fleet operators and electricians stocking the van.