How to Choose a Home Fire Extinguisher in Taiwan: Approval Mark, Type Approval Number, Size and Weight of 5 vs 10, and the Factory Manufacture Date (滅火器)
Fire extinguishers on Shopee Taiwan range from a few dozen to over a thousand NT dollars. Titles often say “消防認證” (fire certification) or “國家認證” (national certification), and the types vary: dry powder, enhanced liquid, foam, and water-based, so it is hard to tell the listings apart. We checked official Taiwanese sources: under Article 12 of the Fire Services Act, fire equipment that the central authority has announced must be approved can be sold, displayed, or installed only after a registered body has approved it and an approval mark has been attached; the Control Yuan's 2022 (year 111 of the Republic of China calendar) corrective action text also says extinguishers and extinguishing agents are items the Ministry of the Interior has announced must be approved. We did not find a public National Fire Agency page on what the approval mark looks like or how to look up a type approval number, and we did not find an official comparison of types. This page summarizes what we could find, plus a checklist before ordering on Shopee.
First, the Types You See on Shopee
| Type | How listings describe it | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Dry powder (ABC) | Listings say it suits class A, B, and C fires; common sizes are the 5, 10, and 20 types | The product on this page is a dry powder extinguisher; the seller warns that extinguishers cannot ship with other items because they get crushed |
| Enhanced liquid | Shopee also has extinguishers and agents labeled “neutral enhanced liquid”, with uses and service life stated by each seller | Claims differ by seller; we did not find an official comparison and do not judge which is better |
| Foam and water-based | Listings say home, car, or kitchen use, at prices from a few dozen to a few hundred NT dollars | Whether a unit is an approved product depends on the approval mark on the product page and the unit; we cannot judge each one |
The types above are how listings describe things, not an official classification. There is no “best” type. The choice depends on where you will keep it, whether you can lift it, and whether the approval mark on the product page and the unit is clear. This page covers buying only. It does not teach how to put out a fire and is not product safety advice.
Five Things to Check When Choosing a Home Extinguisher
| What to check | What to look at | Common situation |
|---|---|---|
| Approval mark and type approval number | Under Article 12 of the Fire Services Act, an extinguisher can be sold, displayed, or installed only after a registered body has approved it and an approval mark has been attached. Shopee spec fields sometimes list a “消防設備型式認可號碼” (fire equipment type approval number), but the seller fills that in. We did not find a public National Fire Agency page on the mark's appearance or number lookup, so we cannot check it for you. Look at the product page before ordering, check the mark on the unit when it arrives, and ask the seller if unsure | The title says “消防認證” or “國家認證”, but the spec field has no number and no mark can be found on the unit |
| Size and weight | The seller on this page lists: the 5 type at about 3.1 kg (276 mm tall, 110 mm diameter), the 10 type at about 6.5 kg (390 mm tall, 130 mm diameter), and the 20 type at about 10 kg (450 mm tall, 165 mm diameter). Measure where it will go and think about whether you can lift it before ordering | Buying a big one that turns out too heavy to lift or does not fit the spot |
| Fire class and agent | Check which fire classes the product page lists. This product is listed for class A, B, and C fires (dry powder). Enhanced liquid, foam, and water-based units are described differently by each seller; we have no official comparison, so go by the product page and the label on the unit | Looking only at the price, not the fire classes it suits |
| Factory manufacture date | The seller warns that the production date of a new unit should be read from the factory sticker; a date the seller stuck on only means the sale date, not the production date. When it arrives, find the factory sticker first. We did not find a single official number of years for replacing the agent, and sources differ, so we do not give a number of years; go by the label on the unit | Looking only at the seller's date and assuming it is new |
| Shipping, invoice, and warranty | The seller on this page states: extinguishers cannot ship with other items because they get crushed; each order has a quantity limit (the 5 type 5 per order, the 10 type 3, the 20 type 2); remote islands or distant areas must ask about shipping by chat first, and orders placed directly will be cancelled; a paper invoice must be confirmed by chat first; the price includes tax, with a one-year factory warranty for non-human causes | Not reading the shipping rules, ordering with other items, and having the order cancelled |
For Renters: Whom to Ask Before You Buy
- Ask the landlord or building management whether an extinguisher is already there — We did not find an official source saying whether a tenant must supply their own extinguisher, so we cannot say “you must buy one” or “you need not”. Before renting, ask the landlord and building management whether one is already installed and whether there is a maintenance record.
- The Fire Services Act rule is on the sales side — Article 12 says fire equipment that has been announced as requiring approval may not be sold, displayed, or installed unless a registered body has approved it and an approval mark has been attached (current text in the national laws database). The article is about products needing approval, not about how many extinguishers a home must have.
- Registered bodies and two-stage approval — The article says approval is carried out in order: type approval and then individual approval. The Control Yuan's 2022 corrective action text says the registered bodies issuing approval marks for extinguishers are the Fire Safety Center Foundation and the Republic of China Fire Technology Consultant Foundation. That text is from 2022, and we did not recheck whether the division of work is still the same.
- We do not teach firefighting or judge safety — In a fire, follow the National Fire Agency and your local fire department, and call 119. This page only summarizes buying directions and is not safety advice.
Before You Order, Confirm These
- Check whether the product page shows an approval mark or type approval number; what the spec field says is filled in by the seller, so also check the mark on the unit when it arrives.
- Decide on the 5, 10, or 20 type: measure the spot and think about whether you can lift it.
- Ask where the factory manufacture date sticker is; when it arrives, find the factory sticker first, not a date the seller stuck on.
- Extinguishers cannot ship with other items; for remote islands or distant areas ask about shipping by chat first, and confirm first if you need a paper invoice.
- Read the warranty scope and return rules, and save a screenshot of the listing.
Searching on Shopee Taiwan: Chinese Keywords and What They Mean
Shopee Taiwan is in Chinese, so searching in English usually returns few useful results. Copy the keywords below and paste them into the Shopee search box.
| Keyword / text (Chinese) | Pinyin | Meaning | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 滅火器 | mièhuǒqì | fire extinguisher | The most common search keyword |
| 乾粉滅火器 | gānfěn mièhuǒqì | dry powder extinguisher | The type the product on this page belongs to |
| ABC乾粉 | ABC gānfěn | ABC dry powder | Shows it suits class A, B, and C fires |
| 強化液 | qiánghuà yè | enhanced liquid | Another type on Shopee, with claims that differ by seller |
| 泡沫滅火器 | pàomò mièhuǒqì | foam extinguisher | Another type on Shopee |
| 型式認可 | xíngshì rènkě | type approval | A term that appears in the spec field |
| 製造日期 | zhìzào rìqí | manufacture date | Check the factory sticker, not a date the seller stuck on |
| 保固 | bǎogù | warranty | The warranty period the seller states |
| 月銷熱賣 | yuè xiāo rèmài | best sellers this month | A sort option in Shopee Taiwan search results (the displayed name may change) |
Brand names on the packaging are usually in Chinese too. If unsure, use your phone's camera translation (for example Google Translate) on the packaging or the product page, then compare with the table above. This list is a keyword guide, not an official translation, and the text on a product page may differ.
Show this to a store clerk, or paste it into the Shopee chat
請問這款 5 型和 10 型差在哪裡？重量各是多少？
Qǐngwèn zhè kuǎn wǔ xíng hé shí xíng chà zài nǎlǐ? Zhòngliàng gè shì duōshǎo?
What is the difference between the 5 and 10 types of this product? How much does each weigh?
請問本體上有消防認可標示和原廠製造日期的貼紙嗎？
Qǐngwèn běntǐ shàng yǒu xiāofáng rènkě biāoshì hé yuánchǎng zhìzào rìqí de tiēzhǐ ma?
Does the unit carry an approval mark and a factory manufacture date sticker?
請問離島或偏遠地區運費怎麼算？可以和其他商品一起寄嗎？
Qǐngwèn lídǎo huò piānyuǎn dìqū yùnfèi zěnme suàn? Kěyǐ hé qítā shāngpǐn yīqǐ jì ma?
How is shipping calculated to remote islands or distant areas? Can it ship with other items?
Fire Extinguisher 10 Type, New 10P ABC Dry Powder with Hook, Fire-Certified (Shopee)
Shopee listing information (shown on October 25, 2026; prices and promotions may change): carries the Shopee Preferred (蝦皮優選) label, rated 5.0 with 5,645 reviews, 2萬+ sold (over 20,000; we only quote this and have not checked each review); the page shows authenticity guarantee, good service, and Shopee's buyer protection and returns; the price shows NT$510 to NT$850 depending on the option (5, 10, 20 types, car use); estimated delivery October 27 to 30. Product information (from the product page, not independently checked by us): portable type, 12-month warranty (supplier warranty, one-year factory warranty for non-human causes), ships from Banqiao, New Taipei. The spec field says “消防設備型式認可號碼 FEB05218251”, but the seller fills that in; we did not find a public National Fire Agency lookup page and found no public data for this number through a search engine, so we could not check it. The seller's description states: extinguishers cannot ship with other items because they get crushed; each order has a quantity limit; remote islands or distant areas must ask about shipping by chat; a paper invoice must be confirmed by chat; the production date of a new unit should be read from the factory sticker, and a date the seller stuck on only means the sale date. The seller also lists the 5 type at about 3.1 kg, the 10 type at about 6.5 kg, and the 20 type at about 10 kg. We do not give safety advice, and you should rely on the product page and the item you receive.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Is there an approval mark? → Look for the mark or type approval number on the product page, then the mark on the unit when it arrives; we cannot check a number the seller filled in
- 5, 10, or 20 type? → The seller lists the 5 type at about 3.1 kg and the 10 type at about 6.5 kg; measure the spot and think about whether you can lift it
- Where is the factory manufacture date? → Look at the factory sticker; a date the seller stuck on only means the sale date
- Did you read the shipping limits? → It cannot ship with other items, remote islands ask first, and each order has a quantity limit
- Did you read the warranty and returns? → The seller states a one-year factory warranty for non-human causes; read it again before ordering and take a screenshot
Frequently Asked Questions
- Must an extinguisher carry an approval mark?
- Under Article 12 of the Fire Services Act, fire equipment that has been announced as requiring approval may not be sold, displayed, or installed unless a registered body has approved it and an approval mark has been attached. The Control Yuan's 2022 corrective action text says extinguishers and extinguishing agents are items the Ministry of the Interior has announced must be approved. We did not find a public National Fire Agency page on the mark's appearance or type approval number lookup, so we cannot teach you how to recognize one. Look at the product page and the mark on the unit, and ask the seller if unsure.
- Can I trust the type approval number in the spec field?
- The seller fills that in. This product lists FEB05218251; we did not check it and found no public data for the number through a search engine. We cannot judge whether it is genuine. Look at the product page before ordering, check the mark on the unit when it arrives, and you can ask the seller for the approval documents.
- How do I choose between the 5, 10, and 20 types?
- The seller on this page lists the 5 type at about 3.1 kg, the 10 type at about 6.5 kg, and the 20 type at about 10 kg. Which suits you depends on where it will go and whether you can lift it. We do not judge; we only remind you to measure the spot and think about the weight before ordering.
- How many years can an extinguisher be used? How often is the agent replaced?
- We did not find a single official figure for the number of years, and sources differ, so this page gives no number. Go by the label on the unit, and when it arrives confirm the factory manufacture date sticker; the seller warns that a date the seller stuck on only means the sale date.
- Must a home have an extinguisher?
- We did not find an official source saying whether a home or a tenant must supply an extinguisher, so we cannot say yes or no. Before renting, it is best to ask the landlord and building management.
- How do I use an extinguisher? What should I do in a fire?
- We do not give operating instructions or safety advice. In a fire, follow the National Fire Agency and your local fire department, and call 119.