Where should I put my fire extinguishers?
15th May 2021
Fire extinguishers should be available for use at all times. They should be clearly visible, permanently mounted on brackets, floor stands or in fire extinguisher cabinets and follow the escape route.
In the event of a fire, people should be able to access equipment safely and near an exit, instead of having to move further into danger. Often they are located near the fire alarm so that someone can raise the alarm and access the appropriate equipment.
How far away should the fire extinguisher be from the hazard?
Fire extinguishers should be close to potential hazards, like cooking equipment or electrical hazards. Below are the maximum distances that a person should need to travel from the fire to reach an extinguisher.
- Class A= 30 meters
- Class B= 10 meters
- Class C= 30 meters
- Class D= Expertise required
- Class E= Expertise required
- Class F= 10 meters
What do these classes mean?
- Class A, combustible carbon-based solids eg paper, wood or textiles
- Class B, flammable liquids eg paraffin, petrol, diesel or oil (but not cooking oil)
- Class C, flammable gases, eg butane, propane or methane
- Class D, burning metals, eg aluminum, lithium or magnesium
- Fires caused by electrical equipment (indicated by an electric spark symbol and not the letter E)
- Class F, fats and cooking oils.
How many fire extinguishers does a business need?
Most businesses require two extinguishers or at least one water-based extinguisher for every 200m2 of floor space. The supply of extinguishers is only part of your responsibility; they must be regularly serviced to ensure full functionality.
How often should they be serviced?
Fire extinguishers need to be serviced at least every year to British Standards 5306-6 by a qualified professional. However, if they have been used or tampered with, they should be serviced immediately.
What are your responsibilities as the business owner?
It is essential that those responsible for a property, be it commercial, industrial or residential, have a duty of care to ensure the building is safe and properly equipped to deal with a fire. It is a legal requirement that any building that is accessible to the general public has the correct procedures in place.
What do Safeguard recommend?
We recommend you instruct a trained and experienced Fire Service Technician to prepare your Fire Risk Assessment.
Following your Fire Risk Assessment, it is a requirement that the correct equipment is located within a building and it accessible and in good working order, which includes your fire extinguishers. They are an essential tool that minimises the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.
Finally, it is important you have competent individuals in your building who are well equipped and trained at using a fire extinguisher, if the time arises.
How can Safeguard help you?
For all things fire, from Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Warden Training, Fire Alarm Commissioning, Servicing and Installation and more, contact Safeguard today.
We supply and install serviced fire extinguishers from just £39 and offer fire maintenance contracts to provide you with total peace of mind that you’re fully compliant with the latest fire safety regulations.
