Do Not Extinguish with Water Sign | Prohibition Safety Sign

Description

Using water on certain fires can cause explosions, electrical shock, or violent chemical reactions — this sign warns against a mistake that could turn a small fire into a catastrophe.

Also commonly referred to as a Do Not Use Water to Extinguish sign.

Product at a Glance
Product detail: Do Not Extinguish with Water
Sign type: Prohibition Sign safety sign
Colour: Red and white
Orientation: Portrait
Materials: Aluminium Composite, Corriboard (Correx), Self-Adhesive Vinyl
Sizes: 100mm x 150mm, 200mm x 300mm, 400mm x 600mm, 600mm x 900mm
Suitable locations: Electrical equipment rooms, chemical storage areas, commercial kitchens with deep-fat fryers, industrial facilities handling flammable metals or solvents
Delivery: Nationwide Ireland delivery
SKU: VGAP058

Where Should a Do Not Extinguish with Water Sign Be Used?
Electrical equipment rooms, chemical storage areas, commercial kitchens with deep-fat fryers, industrial facilities handling flammable metals or solvents

Which Material Should I Choose?
Aluminium Composite: Best for permanent indoor or outdoor signage and locations requiring a rigid, durable sign.
Correx: A lightweight, economical option for temporary or shorter-term signage.
Self-Adhesive Vinyl: Best for application directly to smooth, clean surfaces such as doors, panels and equipment housings.

Why this sign: This sign should be posted wherever fires involving electrical equipment, flammable liquids, cooking oils, or reactive metals may occur, as water is wholly unsuitable and dangerous for these fire classes. It directs personnel to use the correct extinguishing agent — such as CO2, dry powder, or wet chemical — and prevents well-intentioned but hazardous intervention.

Compliance note: In Ireland, employers must provide appropriate safety signage where hazards cannot be avoided or adequately reduced by other measures, based on the workplace risk assessment, under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. This sign is suitable for use as part of a workplace safety-signage system where identified by that risk assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Do Not Extinguish with Water sign mean?
A Do Not Extinguish with Water sign warns people that water must not be used to fight a fire in that location, because doing so could cause electric shock, a violent steam explosion, or spreading of flammable liquid flames.

Where should a Do Not Extinguish with Water sign be displayed?
Place the sign at or near electrical equipment rooms, chemical storage areas, or wherever the relevant action is required.

Is a Do Not Extinguish with Water sign a prohibition sign safety sign?
Yes. It uses the red and white prohibition sign-format design. In Ireland, employers must provide appropriate safety signage where hazards cannot be avoided or adequately reduced by other measures, based on the workplace risk assessment.

What is the difference between “Do Not Extinguish with Water” and “Do Not Use Water to Extinguish”?
They communicate the same instruction. “Do Not Use Water to Extinguish” is also commonly used for this type of sign.

Which material should I choose?
See the material guide above — Aluminium Composite for permanent/outdoor use, Correx for temporary signage, and Self-Adhesive Vinyl for direct application to smooth surfaces.

Can this sign be used outdoors?
Aluminium Composite and Self-Adhesive Vinyl are suitable for outdoor use. Correx is best suited to indoor or short-term outdoor use, as extended exposure to the elements can affect its lifespan.

What sizes are available?
Available in 100mm x 150mm, 200mm x 300mm, 400mm x 600mm, 600mm x 900mm.