Extinguisher Advice

The Theory of fire:

Fires occur when there is a chemical reaction between heat, oxygen/air and fuel. All three elements must be present for a fire to start. If any one of the elements is removed the fire will be extinguished. Fire extinguishers operate in a variety of ways but all fire extinguishers remove one or more of the elements therefore extinguishing the fire.

Which Fire Extinguisher do I need?

There are different types of fire extinguishers that are available to purchase including water, dry powder, foam, wet chemical and carbon dioxide.  Each type of extinguisher is classified and identified according to the type of fire that it will put out.  It is essential that the correct type of fire extinguisher is selected for the type of fire that it will need to extinguish.  Always remember that staff should be trained in the safe use of fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are pressurised containers and should always be handled with caution. 

How do fire extinguishers work?

There are two main types of fire extinguisher: Stored Pressure and Cartridge Operated. Stored Pressure fire extinguishers are fully pressurised cylinders that contain a fire fighting agent and propellant. Cartridge operated fire extinguishers are not pressurised but contain a small gas cartridge that discharges into the unit when it is activated. Most extinguishers are made from steel or aluminium. 

How many fire extinguishers do I need?

The number of fire extinguishers required depends up on the size of the premises and the risks involved.  As a general guide, no person should ever be more than 30 metres away from a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers should always be placed where they are easily accessible. The type of building and the use will mean that different numbers and types of extinguishers will be required. Further information is available from a Fire Protection Engineer or your local Fire Service.

Why are all fire extinguishers red?

A 1985 EU directive means that all fire extinguishers in the UK are red.  Each extinguisher contains a small colour band that indicates the type of extinguisher (please see below for more information)

Where to locate fire extinguishers:

Fire extinguishers should be located in locations where they can easily be viewed and they are quickly and easily accessible in case of an emergency. Fire extinguishers should be located on wall brackets or fire extinguisher stands and located on emergency escape routes.

Fire extinguishers should be securely hung on wall brackets and attached to walls. It is also permissible to locate fire extinguishers on fire extinguisher floor stands or fire extinguisher boxes that can also be attached to walls. Fire extinguishers should not be placed directly on the floor. If wall mounted the carrying handle of larger, heavier extinguishers should be 1 metre from the floor but smaller extinguishers should be mounted so the carrying handle is 1.5 metres from the floor.

Throughout a building you should not have to travel more than 30 metres from fire extinguisher to fire extinguisher. If you are placing two fire extinguishers (for example one number 2kg carbon dioxide fire extinguisher and one number 6ltr water) to provide fire protection in an office then fire extinguishers should be grouped together to form a fire point.

Our top tips for locating fire extinguishers:

Ensure that fire extinguishers are located where they are easily accessible and visible.

Ensure that fire extinguishers are wall mounted on brackets or that they are placed on floor stands.

Ensure that fire extinguishers are located along exit routes and that there is a distance of no more than 30 metres between fire extinguishers.

Ensure that extinguishers are located near to room exits, landings, lobbies and stairways meaning that people can use fire extinguishers to help them to safely evacuate a building in the event of a fire.

Ensure that a fire extinguisher identification sign (ID sign) is located above a fire extinguisher as this will instruct people on how to operate the extinguisher in the case of a fire.

Ensure that fire extinguishers are wall mounted so that the carrying handle is 1m from the floor for heavier units (e.g. 9ltr/9kg fire extinguishers and above) and 1.5m for smaller units (e.g. 6ltr/6kg fire extinguishers)

What to do in the event of a fire emergency:

Remember that all work places should have a Fire Risk Assessment that has been carried out by a competent person in line with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. An up-to-date fire risk assessment helps to ensure the safety of your premises, property and life and is essential in ensuring that you have adequate fire protection (including sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers etc. as applicable) and making sure that all fire safety equipment is regularly maintained in accordance with current standards. As part of a fire risk risk assessment you should also consider what will happen in the event of an emergency inlcuding having an emergency plan in place to ensure that the premises can be quickly and safely evacuated. You shodul also ensure that all staff have received training in basic fire safety awareness and that this training includes instruction on how to use and operate fire extinguishers and how to safely tackle a fire. Nominated staff should also be designated as Fire Marshals/Fire Wardens and should receive appropriate training.

In the event of a fire emergency remember to remain CALM.

Sound the alarm and evacuate the premises as quickly and safely as possible. Everyone should leave the building and move to a safe area.

Call the Fire Brigade: remember to give them as much information as possible including any details about the fire, your loaction etc.

Fire extinguishers are designed to tackle small fire and to be used so that people can use them to extinguish a fire that may be blocking their safe exit from a building. Remember that fires can grow very quickly and aggressively.

Never put yourself or others at risk

Turn off the electrical supply if possible

When leaving a fire area, close all doors behind you and DO NOT stop to collect your possessions.

Ensure that no one returns to the premises until told to do so.

All fire extinguishers are supplied complete with labels and the labels contain instructions on how to use the fire extinguisher in the event of a fire. In addition, fire extinguisher identification signs (ID signs) should be supplied and stuck on the wall above each fire extinguisher. Fire extinguisher ID signs also provide instructions on how to use fire extinguishers. All staff should familiarise themselves with the differnt types of fire extinguishers and the types of fire that they can be used to combat.

If you extinguish a fire make sure that it is completely extinguished and make sure that the fire extinguisher is recharged or replaced as soon as possible.

Classes of Fire:

Each type and brand of Fire Extinguisher will be tested before it is granted a fire rating.  The Fire rating tells you what type of fire the extinguisher can be used on (e.g. Class A or B etc.) and the number tells you the size of fire that the extinguisher will put out.  For example, our 6 litre water fire extinguisher offer a fire rating of 13A and the 9 ltr water extinguisher offers a rating of 21A meaning that it will extinguish a larger fire. 
Class A: Fires that involve common combustible materials such as wood, paper, straw, textiles, soft furnishing and materials. They are usually found in commercial and domestic settings.
Class B: Fires that involve liquids or materials that liquefy such as petrol, oils, paints and fats.
Class C: Fires that involve the combustion of gases such as methane, propane, acetylene, butane and natural gas.
Class F: Fires that involve cooking oil or fats

Types of Fire Extinguisher:

Extinguisher types can be identified by the special colour banding that is shown on each extinguisher can. 
The types, colours and uses of extinguishers are shown below:

Water Fire Extinguishers
Colour Banding	Red
Fire Class	A
Water Fire Extinguishers offer protection against Class A fires that typically involve common combustible materials such as wood, paper, straw, textiles, soft furnishing and materials.  Remember not to use Water Fire Extinguishers on fires that involve live electrical equipment.

Foam Fire Extinguishers
Colour Banding	Cream
Fire Class	A & B
Foam Fire Extinguishers offer protection against Class A and B Fires that typically involve liquids or materials that liquefy such as petrol, oils, paints and fats.  Remember not to use Foam Fire Extinguishers on fires that involve live electrical equipment.  Foam extinguishers form a layer over the top of the burning substance and remove oxygen from the fire.  Foam Fire Extinguishers may also be referred to as AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam)

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguishers
Colour Banding	Black
Fire Class	B
Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers offer protection against Class B fires that involve liquids or materials that liquefy such as petrol, oils, paints and fats.  Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers discharge the extinguisher content under pressure which replaces the air surrounding the fire with the inert CO2 gas which does not support combustion therefore extinguishing the fire. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers are safe for use on live electrical equipment.  Please note that users SHOULD NOT hold the extinguisher horn when the extinguisher is in use as this can cause freeze burn to the skin.  Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers do not leave a residue.

Powder Fire Extinguishers
Colour Banding	Blue
Fire Class	A, B, C
Powder Fire Extinguishers offer protection against Class A, B and C Fires and are a general multi-purpose fire extinguisher.  Powder Fire Extinguishers are safe to use on live electrical equipment but the powder residue may also cause harm to some equipment.  Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers work as the Powder reacts with the fire and the powder spreads therefore extinguishing the fire.

Wet Chemical (F-class) Fire Extinguishers
Colour Banding	Yellow
Fire Class	A and F
Wet Chemical (F-Class) Fire Extinguishers offer protection against fires that involve cooking oil or fats.  Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers also offer a small ‘A’ Fire Rating.  No other type of fire extinguisher will be effective against fires involving cooking oil or deep fats.

Quality Approvals and guarantees:

Many of our products offer a range of recognised UK and European quality approvals to provide our customers with the highest confidence in the products they purchase from FireMart.
Two of the most common approvals used for UK portable fire extinguishers are CE Mark and BS EN 3 Kitemarked. Our standard Crusader range of fire extinguishers CE Mark and Lloyd’s Register approvals and our premier range of fire extinguishers offer BS EN 3 KiteMark and CE Mark. Our range of Chrome and Polished fire extinguishers also offer CE Mark and Lloyd’s Register approvals. Please see our complete fire extinguisher ranges for more information:

Guarantees:

Fire extinguisher range:	Approvals	Guarantee
Premier KiteMarked range (red)	BS EN 3 Kitemark CE Mark	5 years *
Standard Crusader range (red)	CE Mark Lloyd’s Register approval	1 year *
Standard Crusader range (chrome and polished)	CE Mark Lloyd’s Register approval	1 year *

* Fire extinguisher guarantees are valid provided that the fire extinguisher is serviced from new in accordance with BS 5306: Pt 3 by a trained, competent fire service engineer using genuine spare parts. This guarantee does not cover defects caused by accident, misuse or neglect.

BS EN3 Kitemarked Extinguishers:
Our premier range of fire extinguishers offer the BS EN3 Kitemark. The Kitemark on a portable fire extinguisher provides a visible endorsement and quality approval from the British Standards Institution (BSi), the UK national standards body, of a manufacturer's commitment to quality and the production of quality products. In order to achieve the KiteMark, fire extinguishers are subjected to rigorous testing by BSi to ensure consistent quality in the products and at all stages of production. Random samples are selected and are submitted to BSi for testing to confirm full compliance with the material, design and construction, functional, dimensional and marking requirements detailed by the standard.

CE Mark:
From May 2002, all fire extinguishers which operate under pressure have to be manufactured according to the requirements of the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). All fire extinguisher sold by FireMart are CE Marked in full compliance with the legislation.

Lloyd’s Register Approval:
All Crusader red and standard fire extinguishers from FireMart have been subjected to Lloyd’s Register approval to grant them fire ratings.

Maintenance and Servicing of Fire Extinguishers:

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the ‘responsible person’ has a duty to ensure that appropriate fire fighting is provided and maintained.  The responsible person can be a building or business owner, tenant or landlord.  The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to ALL non-domestic properties in England and Wales.  The responsible person should ensure that all fire extinguishers that are provided in non-domestic premises including offices, warehouses etc. are installed and maintained by a competent person in line with British Standards.

Here at FireMart, we supply a cost effective solution for the purchase of new fire extinguishers and other portable fire fighting equipment and ancillary goods.  We do not undertake the installation or servicing of equipment.  It is recommended that all businesses employ the services of a reputable fire protection company to ensure that extinguisher and equipment are installed and maintained in line with the relevant British Standards.

Installation:

Fire extinguishers should be commissioned and checked by a competent person (e.g. trained fire engineer) before they are installed.  The initial service will include an Engineer checking that the extinguisher is in working order and checking the pressure and weight of the extinguisher.  The Engineer will certify the extinguisher and will attached a service label.  The servicing standard BS 5306 Part 3 puts the onus on the user to employ a competent person and to ensure that extinguishers are installed and serviced to this Standard.

Basic Service:

An annual ‘basic’ service should be carried out each year by a competent person.   The basic service will usually involve checking all parts including tubes, gauges, safety devices and operating mechanisms to ensure that the extinguisher is safe and in good working order at the time of service.  The Engineer will sign the service label to show that a service has been carried out.

Visual inspection:

In between the annual service, the responsible person (or nominated representative) should ensure that a visual inspection of fire extinguishers is undertaken.  The visual inspection should take place at least quarterly, but preferably monthly.

The visual inspection will include checking that the extinguisher:

• is located correctly.
• is unobstructed and visible
• has a label that is clean, legible and that the operating instructions can be clearly seen
• is not obviously damaged or tampered with (i.e. no broken tamper indicators or seals)
• Has a pressure gauge (where fitted) that reads in the operable range.

You should maintain a record to show that monthly inspections have been carried out.

Extended Service:

Every five years, all Powder, Foam, Water and Wet Chemical extinguishers should be discharged tested and refilled (extended service).  This means that a competent person will empty and refill the extinguisher.  At this time they will also check that the inside of the extinguisher is in good working order (i.e. not corroded etc.)

Overhaul:

Every ten years, carbon dioxide extinguishers require hydraulic testing where the extinguisher will be removed from site and overhauled.

All extinguishers should be replaced every twenty years.

Types	Basic	Extended	Overhaul	Replacement
Water/Foam	Annual	5 yearly	---	At 20 years
Powder	Annual	5 yearly	---	At 20 years
Carbon Dioxide	Annual	---	10 yearly	At 20 years
Wet chemical	Annual	5 yearly	---	At 20 years

Fire blankets:

Fire blankets should also be inspected regularly to check that they are in working order. For more information about fireblankets see our fire blanket information page.