Fire Extinguishers – a simple guide to fire safety

UK fire extinguisher standards recommended that you should have a minimum of two ‘Class A’ extinguishers on every storey of the building.  Class A fire extinguishers are those which put out wood or paper fires, also known as ‘carbonaceous' fires. Your fire risk assessment should include an evaluation of the number and location of any firefighting media. 

Class A fire extinguishers recommend in guidance include: 

• 3 litre foam extinguishers
• 6 litre foam extinguishers
• 9 litre water extinguishers 

Exceptions to the rule: In small premises it may be impractical to have two, then only one may be needed.  An example could be a small corner shop or kiosk. This should be included within the findings of your fire risk assessment.

Depending on the risks present and equipment in your business premises, you may need other types of fire extinguisher. 

The most common of these are Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers which are used to fight electrical fires. 

It is recommended that: 

• Premises with electrical equipment have at least one 2kg CO2 extinguishers, or an alternative extinguisher rated for electrical fires.
• Where there is 415 volt rated equipment, then 5kg CO2 extinguishers or alternative should be available 

It is quite common to see a CO2 extinguisher paired with foam or water extinguishers, thereby meeting UK fire extinguisher legal requirements. 

Specialist, wet chemical extinguishers may be required in commercial kitchens where deep fat fryers are used.

Powder extinguishers are very versatile and can deal with most fire types. We do not recommend their use within buildings however, due to the cloud of very fine dust that could disorientate or cause discomfort to the user. 

The water-based fire extinguishers are usually located by exits and fire alarm call-points.  

CO2 and other specialist types of extinguisher should be located within easy reach of the specific fire hazard – e.g. the deep fat fryer. But not close enough that you would not be able to access in the event of a fire.

Extinguishers should be either fixed to the wall or attached to a stand and clearly signposted with fire extinguisher ID signs fixed to the stand or the wall.  

This is to discourage people from moving them around, for example, using them to prop doors open. 

Extinguisher ID signs explain which type of extinguisher they are, and how and when to use them.

You can, of course, buy fire extinguishers yourself online.  Just be sure that they are the right type and size for your premises and that you know where to locate them. 

In complex premises or those where the risks are highest, you should consider employing a competent person to review your firefighting equipment needs. 

Most extinguishers have a metal body and must be serviced annually (i.e. once a year) by a competent person.  This generally means by someone with the relevant qualifications or equivalent.

Low-maintenance extinguishers, e.g. P50 extinguishers, are cost-effective virtually service-free fire extinguishers that eliminate the need for a 3rd party servicing company to check them every year, reducing your annual maintenance costs dramatically whilst delivering environmental savings.

Extinguishers with metal bodies require regular servicing, the service checks a number of things and should be completed by a competent person: 

• Is the extinguisher in date?
• Is it in visibly good condition?
• Has it been tampered with?
• Is the weight and/or pressure correct?
• Does the pin work?
• Is the hose in good working order?
• Are the instructions on the extinguisher legible? 

At the end of the service, the engineer will be able to tell you which extinguishers need replacing or advise on additional extinguishers you may need to bring you in line with regulations. 

Service free extinguishers are available, and an annual visual check can be completed by following the manufacturer's instructions.

For extinguishers with metal bodies, it is important to keep records that they have been adequately serviced, there are several things to look for: 
1.    There will be a service label on the extinguisher showing that it has been serviced in the last year and saying when the next service is due.
2.    The service label will record the outcome of the last service as one of the following: –   received a basic service
•      was refilled
•      needs replacing (in which case a new extinguisher should have been purchased)
3.    There will be something preventing the pin being accidentally pulled out, such as an ‘anti-tamper tag’.
•    Exception to the rule: this is not the case for extinguishers with plastic pins which have a different design.  For these types of extinguishers, the pin itself should be replaced every year.
4.    The o-ring will have been replaced (an o-ring makes sure the extinguisher has an airtight seal).
5.    You will have an in-date service certificate from a BAFE qualified individual or organisation. 
 

For service free extinguishers it is considered good practice to record the visual inspection in your fire safety logbook.
 

Service free extinguishers should be refurbished or replaced every 10 years. 

For metal bodied extinguishers, BS5306 recommends that they are tested by discharge every five years (water, foam and powder) and refilled or replaced, and every ten years (CO2).  CO2 bottles are hydraulically tested at the ten-year point, or the extinguisher is replaced. 

You should also consider that BAFE and the Environment Agency advise against the discharge of water-based fire extinguishers onto open land or down drains to prevent hazards to the environment. It is for this reason that we recommend the replacement of extinguishers at the test point rather than test discharge.  Our returned extinguishers are then disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. 

Exceptions to the rule: if an extinguisher is damaged, discharged or otherwise unable to be used safely, then it should be replaced immediately.