Fire extinguishers are a vital part of your fire safety plan, acting as the first line of defence in the event of a fire. When small fires occur, they need to be quickly addressed before they escalate into more dangerous situations that are difficult to control. Ensuring you have the right types and number of extinguishers in the right locations will help you act swiftly to protect both lives and property.
Regular and professional fire extinguisher servicing is just as important as the correct selection and placement of your extinguishers. Failing to keep your fire safety measures and protocols up to date can leave your business vulnerable during an emergency, opening yourself up to unmanageable risk. Adopting a proactive approach is the first step in creating a safe, compliant workplace that protects employees, guests and the building itself.
In commercial environments, choosing the correct type of extinguisher is essential for covering all the potential risks in your workplace and ensuring the safety of all individuals on site.
Fire extinguishers come in several different types, each designed to tackle a specific kind of fire, with the most common being water, foam, CO2, dry powder and wet chemical extinguishers. Water extinguishers are ideal for fires involving wood, paper and textiles, making them a good choice for office and retail spaces, while foam extinguishers can effectively handle flammable liquids that may be more common in warehouses and workshops. CO2 extinguishers are best for fires involving electrical equipment, as they use a non-conductive gas to ensure they don’t cause further damage to devices. Meanwhile, wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed for commercial kitchens, effectively tackling cooking oil and fat fires.
At Fire Safe Services, we provide comprehensive servicing for all types of extinguishers, ensuring your premises are protected, no matter your industry or unique fire safety requirements.
All commercial premises in the UK must adhere to the Regulatory Reform Order 2005. This order requires businesses to carry out a fire safety risk assessment and install and maintain effective fire safety measures, including the correct number, type, and placement of extinguishers. Generally, UK regulations recommend that there should be two class A fire extinguishers available on every floor of a commercial building, but specific requirements vary depending on the size of the premises and the nature of activities carried out on site. All commercial buildings with electrical equipment must have CO2 extinguishers installed – there are very few circumstances where this is not required.
Fire extinguishers must also be commissioned before they are considered compliant with the current legislation, meaning they need to be inspected and approved by an extinguisher engineer who can confirm whether they are fit for use. Businesses must also ensure that staff know where the extinguishers are and know how to use them.
Servicing and maintenance regulations are also in place to ensure your fire extinguishers remain functional. From 5-year fire servicing for water, powder and foam, to 10-year servicing for CO2 extinguishers, as well as yearly maintenance and monthly checks, your maintenance checks should be performed by a trained professional.
There may be more specific regulations that apply to your unique business, especially depending on the results of your fire safety risk assessment. For tailored advice on the legal requirements for your commercial building, get in touch with our team today!
