SOA

The RRFSO Article 13 states where necessary, the Responsible Person must ensure that:

1. the premises are, to the extent that it is appropriate, equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment; and
2. any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment so provided is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.

Additionally, Article 17 states where necessary, the Responsible Person must ensure that:

1. the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided in respect of the premises ... are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

Fire Fighting Equipment Checklist

• Are extinguishers suitable for purpose?
• Are there enough extinguishers sited throughout the premises at appropriate locations?
• Are extinguishers visible or does there position need indicating?
• Are the right types of extinguishers located close to the fire hazard and can the users get to them without exposing themselves to risk?
• Have steps been taken to prevent the misuse of extinguishers?

Minimum Level of Cover

The details stated below are generalised for a simple low risk premises. It does not consider spare extinguishers or areas of higher fire risk. For such areas expert advice should be sought. The following list provides a list of salient points that are generally relevant for all extinguisher types:

1. Normally, extinguishers should be sited where persons following an escape route will readily see them, such as; near to storey exits, along corridors, etc;
2. There should be no point in the building that is further than 30m away from an suitable extinghuisher;
3. Extinguishers should be appropriately mounted, with other portable fire fighting equipment and identified by signage;
4. All extinguishers should ,ideally be the same method of operation;
5. All staff should be trained on operating the installed extinguishers; and
6. Sufficient spare extinguishers should be available.

Class A

All solid materials, usually organic origin in nature (i.e. contains compounds of carbon) and generally produces glowing embers when ignited. Examples include wood, textiles, curtains, furniture and plastics.

The minimum level of cover for class A fires is all floors within the building to have at least two class A extinguishers (a minimum rating of 26A). For floors greater than 400m2 there must be a minimum total class A rating of 0.065xfloor area (m²).

For small single-occupancy buildings, with a total upper floor area (i.e. excluding the ground floor, basements, etc) of less than 100m², the minimum total class A rating required for all of these above-ground floors is 13A¹⁰ (but still with the minimum two class A rated extinguishers per floor). This exception does not include or apply to the ground floor.

Class B

All flammable liquids and solids, which can be further sub-divided into: (1) Non-miscible with water (i.e. petrol, oils, solvents, paints and waxes); and (2) Polar Liquid Fires (hydrophilic / miscible with water) including alcohol, methanol, acetone, propanol and ethanol.

The assessment of cover for a single liquid container in a given room is calculated via the total surface area of the container and the Table 1. This table gives the maximum surface area (in m²) for which a given rated extinguisher(s) is (are) suitable. However, this cover does not include the spillage cover given below.

• In cases where there are multiple containers less than 2m apart, they should be considered as a single container;
• In cases where there are multiple containers that are more than 2m and less than 20m apart, they should be considered as forming a divided group. The surface area of the largest single container, the total surface area of the largest undivided group (as above), or one third of the total surface area of all of the containers, whichever is the greater, is used to calculate the minimum rating;
• In cases where the containers are more than 20m apart, the containers should be considered on an individual basis;
• Additional extinguishers should also be supplied to cover the risk from spillage. The recommended minimum rating = 10×Anticipated Spillage Volume (in litres). Refer to the British Standard for full details;
• Additional extinguishers should be provided where the liquids have a low fire point, or are particularly difficult to extinguish; and
• Where high rated extinguishers are installed, additional low rated extinguishers should be provided and sited near any anticipated points of fire occurrence.

	21B	34B	55B	70B	89B	113B	144B	183B	233B
Max are for 1 extingisher(m2)	0.14	0.23	0.37	0.47	0.59	0.75	0.96	1.22	1.55
Diameter (m)	0.42	0.54	0.69	0.77	0.87	0.98	1.11	1.25	1.40
Rectangular (0.5x (m))	0.28	0.46	0.74	0.94	1.18	1.50	1.92	2.44	3.10
Max area for 2 extinguishers (m2)	0.26	0.42	0.69	0.88	1.11	1.41	1.80	2.29	2.91
Diameter (m)	0.58	0.73	0.94	1.06	1.19	1.34	1.51	1.71	1.92
Rectangular (0.5x (m))	0.52	0.84	1.38	1.76	2.22	2.82	3.60	4.58	5.82
Max area for 3 extinguishers (m2)	0.42	0.68	1.10	1.40	1.78	2.26	2.88	3.66	4.66
Diameter (m)	0.73	0.93	1.18	1.34	1.51	1.70	1.91	2.16	2.44
Rectangular (0.5x (m))	0.84	1.36	2.20	2.80	3.56	4.52	5.76	7.32	9.32

Table 1: Minimum cover for Class B

Class C

Class ‘C’ fires involve natural mains gas, liquid petroleum gases (e.g. LPG – butane and propane) and medical or industrial gases.

In all but some very exceptional cases, a gas leak should only be dealt with by closing a control valve or plugging the leak - personnel should not be encouraged to tackle these risks in any other way. Refer to the standard for details.

Class D

Class ‘D’ fires involve metals.

It is not possible to make general recommendations for the provision of extinguishers to protect against combustible metals (e.g. magnesium). Decisions should be made solely by experts on a case-by-case basis. The use of inappropriate equipment can make a situation far worse.

Electrical Fires

Electrical fires are not considered to constitute a fire class on their own, as electricity is a source of ignition that will feed the fire until removed. When the electricity supply has been isolated, the fire can generally be treated as a ‘Class A’ for extinguishing purposes.

Class F

This is a new class that specifically deals with high temperature (≥ 360°C) cooking oils used in large industrial catering kitchens, restaurants and takeaway establishments. Cooking oil fires, because of their auto-ignition temperature, are difficult to extinguish.

 

As with Class B above, the provision of cover for Class F risks is also a specialist subject. However, there are two pertinent points: (1) all deep fat frying situations should be covered (see Table 2) and (2) other fat and cooking oil risks may also require the provision of either Class F extinguisher(s)16 or a fixed system.

 

References

1. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, SI 2005/1541. The Stationery Office, 2005.
2. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 .
3. BS 5306-8:2000 Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers. Code of practice
4. BS 5499-1:2002 Graphical symbols and signs. Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Specification for geometric shapes, colours and layout.
5. Fire Safety Guides. Department for Communities and Local Government Publications, 2006.