Free guide to Fire Extinguishers

•  - How does a fire extinguisher work?
• - What are the difference types of extinguishers?
• - How often should my extinguishers be inspected?
•  - How to use a fire extinguisher?

These are some of the most common questions we get asked daily, so we thought it makes sense to give you a full guide to extinguishers and the legislation regarding extinguishers in the UK completely free of charge, to help you understand what you require in your premises, what your legal obligations are, help you carry out a Fire Risk Assessment or just be more informed so when that annual fire extinguisher engineers report lands in your inbox you actually know what you’re paying for.

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5. How often should I have my Extinguishers checked?

Simply your extinguishers require inspections at 3 main intervals.  

1. Monthly routine check.

2. Yearly certified inspection and service.

3. A five Yearly extended service except for Co2 extinguishers which is a 10-year extended service.

Think of your fire extinguishers as good friends. Like any good friend, they need a bit of attention to stay in top shape. This simply means a quick, friendly visual check every month to make sure everything's alright. No matter if it's a Co2, foam, wet chemical, or powder extinguisher, they all need this monthly date.

This little catch-up won't take too much of your time. Just have someone responsible take a peek at the top cap pin, pressure gauge, and seal to make sure no one has fiddled with them. Also, let's not forget to check that it's still snugly attached to the wall bracket and the instructions are clearly readable, in case someone needs to use it in a hurry.

Once a year, your extinguisher pals need a bit of a spa day, what we call a basic service. This is required by the BS 5036 regulation and you, as building managers or owners, need to schedule this pampering session. This is handled by a professionally certified fire technician as a faulty fire extinguisher is not something to joke about.

During this annual check-up, our expert will give your extinguisher a thorough once-over, replacing parts as needed. Even as your extinguishers age, this service ensures they'll still be ready to leap into action if needed.

Every five years, your extinguisher deserves an extended vacation, or what we call an extended service. This is a deeper, more thorough service, again performed by our certified technicians. All types of extinguishers get this treatment, except for Co2.

During this service, the technician will do everything included in the basic service, and then some. They'll discharge the extinguisher, checking how far and in what pattern the fire-stopping material sprays out. This ensures that your extinguisher will work effectively and efficiently, should it ever be called into action. So, with these regular checks, you can rest easy knowing your extinguishers are ready to protect you.

2. What are the different types of Fire Extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers come in five main categories: wet chemical, CO2, dry powder, foam, and water. To be compliant with regulations, it's crucial to have the right type of fire extinguisher for your specific setting. The type required depends on the potential fire hazards present, which can vary based on the type of fuel that could ignite.

Ensure that your fire extinguisher is the appropriate size and weight for your premises to satisfy fire safety regulations.

While there are five primary categories, dry powder and water extinguishers have different versions, bringing the total to eight distinct types. These include specialist dry powder, standard dry powder, foam, water spray, water mist, water spray, wet chemical, and carbon dioxide. Please note, no single fire extinguisher is suitable for all fire classes.

Below, we provide an overview of the different fire classes and the appropriate extinguisher for each. We also offer a detailed explanation of the various types of fire extinguishers.

Fire Classes: There are six different fire classes:

Class A – Fires involving combustible materials like paper, fabric, wood, and other flammable solids. Class B – Fires involving flammable liquids such as paint, turpentine, or petrol. Class C – Fires involving flammable gases including methane, butane, or hydrogen. Class D – Fires involving combustible metals like potassium, aluminium, or magnesium. Class F – Fires involving cooking oils, like a chip-pan fire. Electrical Fires – These are fires involving electrical equipment. Once the electrical item is removed, the fire class changes.

Types of Fire Extinguishers:

Foam Extinguishers: Commonly used for class B fires, these water-based extinguishers can also be used for class A fires. They work by cooling the fuel causing the fire and creating a barrier between the fuel and flame. They should be located by the exits on floors identified as class A or B fire risks.

Water Extinguishers: Primarily used for class A fires, they work by cooling the burning fuel, slowing the rate of combustion until the fire is out. Like foam extinguishers, they should be located by the exits on floors identified as class A fire risks.

Water Spray Extinguishers: Equipped with a spray nozzle, these extinguishers can cover a larger surface area more quickly to extinguish fires.

Water Mist Extinguishers: These extinguishers release microscopic water particles that suffocate the fire and create a heat-reducing mist.

Dry Powder Extinguishers: These extinguishers can be used for class A, B, and C fires but should not be used in enclosed spaces due to the inhalation risk of the powder. They can also be used for fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000 V. Special dry powder extinguishers are used for fires caused by flammable metals.

Wet Chemical Extinguishers: These extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking oils and fats. They can also be used on Class A fires.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers: Mainly used for electrical fire risks and Class B fires, CO2 extinguishers displace the oxygen the fire needs to burn. They should be placed near the fire risk source or near the fire exits.

How do I use a fire extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers are vital tools in an emergency, and while no formal training is required to use them in an emergency, understanding their operation is important. Using the correct type of fire extinguisher for the fire at hand is crucial, as using the wrong type can have serious consequences. In any fire situation, the first step should always be to call your local emergency services, such as 999 or 112 in the UK.

Here's how to use different types of fire extinguishers:

Water Fire Extinguisher (Class A fires): Ensure the fire doesn't involve electricity or is near live electrical equipment. Stand at least 3 metres away from the fire, break the tamperproof seal and pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher upright, aim it away from the fire, and test it with a short burst. Then, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire and discharge fully while sweeping the nozzle side to side.

Foam Fire Extinguisher (Class A and B fires): The process is similar to using a water fire extinguisher. For liquid fires, aim at the side of the fire and allow the foam to spread across the fire. For uncontained liquid fires, aim the hose over the fire and let the foam drop onto the fire, sweeping the nozzle along the fire. For non-liquid fires, aim at the base and sweep the nozzle across the fire.

CO2 Fire Extinguisher (Class B and electrical fires): Remember not to hold the extinguisher horn as it can cause freeze burn. Stand 1-3 metres away from the fire, break the tamperproof seal and pull the pin. Raise the horn at a 90-degree angle to the extinguisher cylinder, hold the lever with both hands, and test it with a short burst. For Class B fires, aim the horn at the base of the fire and sweep side to side. For electrical fires, aim at the fire and, if possible, turn off the electrics.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher (Classes A, B and F fires): Similar process to the foam extinguisher. However, when you squeeze the lever, aim the hose at the side of the fire, allowing the potassium salts to create a soapy film on the burning oil or fat.

Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher (Classes A, B, C and electrical fires): Stand 5-7 metres away from the fire, break the tamperproof seal and pull the pin. Test the extinguisher with a short burst, then aim the hose at the base of the fire, gently squeeze the lever, and sweep the nozzle from back to front over the fire. For uncontained liquid fires, aim the hose over the fire and sweep the nozzle along the fire.

Remember, never use an extinguisher on escaping gases, only attempt to fight a fire in its earliest stages, maintain a safe distance, and never use more than one extinguisher to fight a fire.