Fire Extinguisher
Commissioning and Servicing
Legally, do we really need them?
One of the most frequently asked questions relating to Fire Extinguishers is;
Legally, do we really need them?
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Firstly, a little on the history & knowledge of Fire Extinguishers.
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Fire Extinguishers date back to around 200BC when Ctesibius of Alexandria invented a hand pump to deliver water to a fire. The first pressurised Fire Extinguisher was invented by Captain George William Manby – a copper vessel that contained three gallons of potassium carbonate. Fire Extinguishers have come a long way since then.
Fire ignites from various sources, necessitating the need for unique Fire Extinguishers to tackle each type of fire – there’s not one type of Fire Extinguisher that’s effective on every fire.
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Fires are labelled by ‘class’ and the right Fire Extinguisher should be installed according to the class of fire the area is most at risk of. There are four main types of Fire Extinguisher, which are identifiable by their names, label colour and hoses or nozzles.
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Water Extinguishers are used on Class A fires – those whose source is solid (for example wood, paper and textiles).
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Foam Extinguishers are suitable for Class B fires (flammable liquids) and are recommended for Class A-risk areas too (those featuring combustible materials).
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CO2 Extinguishers though carrying a B classification, a CO2 unit is ideal for an electrical fire risk leaving no residue, nor carrying a risk of damage to associated equipment.
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Dry Powder Extinguishers (also known as ABC Fire Extinguishers) are suitable for Class A, B and C fires – those involving solids, liquids and gases.
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To answer the question!? the answer is YES, you need Fire Extinguishers to keep compliant to Fire Safety Regulations.
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Fire Extinguisher legislation in the UK can feel a little complicated, we have underpinned some info in brief.
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Employers and Property owners must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Order applies to virtually all premises and every type of building, including offices and shops, care homes, hospitals, schools, hotels and factories.
It’s your responsibility to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and you must, as far as is reasonably practical, ensure that everyone on the premises can safely escape a fire. That includes installing Fire Extinguishers to provide the means of fighting a small fire. Fire Extinguisher provision varies according to the class of fire; for example, the minimum number of Class A-rated Extinguishers on each storey is two 13A Fire Extinguishers for a floor area of up to 400m2. For Class B fires, which generally produce a lot of heat and spread quickly, it’s advisable to enlist the help of the local fire and rescue service. However, each room must be considered separately.
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You are required to enlist the help of a Competent Person to check and maintain Fire Extinguishers once a year in line with BS 5306-3: 2017. Regular inspections by a qualified technician ensure the equipment remains in working order and is fit for purpose.
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If a Fire Extinguisher has been damaged, accidentally discharged or vandalised, for example, a technician will assess it and take the appropriate course of action. Meanwhile, BS5306-3: 2017 recommends the Responsible Person visually inspects Fire Extinguishers at least once a month and, when circumstances require, more frequently. Fire Extinguishers must NEVER be used to prop open doors, hang hats on, tie your pets too or used for crowd control! Their correct usage should be communicated to all users of the building, and this training documented. NYFPC recommends that faults and remedial action be recorded in a Fire Action Plan to support in matters of due-diligence. Templates are available in our Downloads page.
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Don't forget that the appropriate Signage is required too. You can find some in our shop.
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