Introduction
Fire safety, an indispensable aspect in which fire extinguishers play a vital role, must not be overlooked. In 2020, 153,278 incidents were attended by fire and rescue services, resulting in the loss of over 220 lives to fires. Adhering to prescribed fire extinguisher safety measures can prevent many such incidents and fatalities.
Legislation Concerning Fire Extinguisher Safety
All matters related to fire safety in England and Wales are governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Commonly known as the RRO, this order is applicable to fire safety on non-domestic premises, with only a few exceptions.
Before the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, there were approximately 70 different legislative variations regulating fire safety in the UK. The Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 cover fire safety in Scotland, while the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 apply to Northern Ireland.
Number of Fire Extinguishers Required in a Business Premises
According to UK fire extinguisher regulations, two Class A fire extinguishers must be available on each floor of a building. Class A fires, also known as carbonaceous fires, involve substances like wood, paper, straw, and textiles.
Fire extinguishers in this category include 3 and 6-litre foam extinguishers and 9-litre water extinguishers. Each floor of a business premises should be equipped with a combination of any two of these. Small premises such as kiosks and food trucks are exceptions where the presence of two fire extinguishers may hinder emergency exit routes.
Other Types of Fire Extinguishers That May Be Necessary
The nature of a business's equipment or work activities determines the need for additional or different types of fire extinguishers. Regulations typically recommend CO2 fire extinguishers for electrical fires.
Premises with electrical equipment must have 2 kg CO2 fire extinguishers, and if the equipment is rated at 415 volts, the company should ensure it has 5 kg CO2 fire extinguishers. As most business premises contain some form of electricity, CO2 fire extinguishers should be paired with either foam or water extinguishers. A standard combination includes water-based and CO2 fire extinguishers.
Location of Fire Extinguishers
Normally, fire extinguishers should be positioned near emergency exits or fire alarm call points. If the number of fire extinguishers required exceeds the building's emergency exits or fire alarm call points, the 30-metre rule from UK British Standards (BS5306) should be applied. This rule states that building occupants should be within 30 metres of a fire extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers designed for specific purposes, such as wet chemical or dry powder fire extinguishers, should always be easily accessible to the specific hazard, such as flammable liquids, gases, or cooking oils.
Required Signage
Different fires require different extinguishers. It's crucial that building occupants know where to locate fire extinguishers and which ones to use in case of a fire. Businesses must display signage indicating the location and identity of fire extinguishers. Fire extinguisher identity signs also provide instructions on how and when to use the equipment.
Installation of Fire Extinguishers
People often misuse fire extinguishers to prop open fire doors. These doors should remain closed, and fire extinguisher regulations dictate that extinguishers should either be wall-mounted or placed on stands designed for that purpose.
Fire Extinguisher Commissioning
Commissioned fire extinguishers have been inspected and approved. Compliance with UK fire safety legislation necessitates the commissioning of all fire extinguishers, irrespective of having the required quantity and correct type.
Fire extinguishing engineers carry out these inspections, assessing factors such as:
- The attachment and condition of all hoses.
- The weight of the fire extinguisher.
- Damage to the casing, hoses, or pressure devices.
Certificates of compliance are issued by these engineers to confirm the commissioning of fire extinguishers.
Servicing of Fire Extinguishers
All fire extinguishers must undergo servicing at least once a year. Individuals who are BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) qualified or possess equivalent qualifications should conduct these annual services.
The service should include:
- Overall and visible condition of the fire extinguisher.
- Inspection for any signs of tampering.
- Weight and pressure of the fire extinguisher.
- Functionality of the pin.
- Condition and functionality of all hoses.
- Legibility of instructions attached to the fire extinguisher.
Demonstrating Compliance with Servicing Regulations
Evidence of fire extinguisher servicing includes:
- A service label indicating the service date and when the next service is due. This label also specifies if the fire extinguisher was refilled or needs replacement.
- An anti-tamper tag preventing tampering with the pin, applicable to non-plastic pins, which should be replaced annually.
- Replacement of the O-ring to ensure an airtight seal.
- An in-date service certificate from the qualified person or company that serviced the fire extinguisher.
Replacement of Fire Extinguishers
UK British Standard BS5306 mandates discharge tests every five years for water, foam, and powder fire extinguishers, and every 10 years for CO2 fire extinguishers. CO2 extinguishers undergo hydraulic tests, with results indicating whether they should be refilled or replaced.
Fire extinguishers should be replaced rather than refilled. Disposing of fire extinguisher contents in public drains harms the environment, and specialists should handle the disposal of residual content safely.