As a responsible business owner, you know that the safety and well-being of your employees, customers, and assets are of the utmost importance. One critical aspect of ensuring a safe working environment is having the right fire extinguisher installations in place. Understanding the requirements and regulations surrounding fire extinguishers is not only a legal obligation under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 but also a big step in safeguarding your business from potential fire disasters.
In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about portable handheld fire extinguisher installations. From the appropriate types of extinguishers for specific fire hazards to strategic placement for maximum accessibility and coverage, we will cover it all. Additionally, we’ll highlight the importance of regular annual servicing and inspections to guarantee that your fire extinguishers are in optimum working condition when you need them the most.
Whether you run a small bookshop, café, office block, or busy warehouse facility, this article aims to provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about fire extinguisher safety. Read on to learn more about fortifying your business against fire risks and ensure the utmost protection for all who step foot within your premises.
What Is The Proper Installation Of Fire Extinguishers?
To ensure that your business stays compliant with fire safety regulations in the workplace, there are several requirements that we and you must adhere to when installing fire extinguishers. Our team of expert engineers are well versed in what precautions, guidelines and regulations must be met for each installation in a commercial property.
We make it our duty to guide SMBs through the complexities of fire safety in the workplace, ensuring that our installations are of the highest standard. Initially, it’s important to note that each extinguisher and its media (contents) is categorised into individual fire classes based on the type of fire they are designed to eradicate. Here is a brief guideline for each:
Class A: Suitable for combustible materials such as wood, paper, linen, rubber, and plastics.
Class B: Suitable for flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, and oils.
Class C: Suitable for flammable gases such as propane, butane, and methane.
Class D: Suitable for combustible metals such as aluminium, magnesium, titanium, and sodium.
Electrical: Suitable for electrical equipment fires, such as TVs, computers, plug sockets, hairdryers, extension leads, etc.
To note, once the electrical item is isolated, the fire changes class; electrical fires are not given their own fire class, as they can fall into any of the other above fire classes. After all, it is not the electricity that is burning but the surrounding material that has been set alight by the electrical current.
Class F: Suitable for non-electrical kitchen-based fires, including cooking oils and fats.
The primary extinguishers in the United Kingdom are Water, Foam, Dry Powder, Carbon Dioxide (‘CO2’) and Wet Chemical; these are all effective for handling certain classes of fire, as detailed above.
Additionally, our new Lith-Ex Extinguisher range is designed to tackle Lithium-ion Battery Fires from gadgets such as laptops, mobile phones, e-scooters etc. Sadly, this type of fire is occurring a lot more frequently, so these new fire extinguishers are being installed regularly and recommended by leading fire risk assessors and UK insurers.
Where Should I Place A Fire Extinguisher?
Once we have discussed what type of fire extinguishers your premise requires, we must follow strict guidelines for their location. Proper placement ensures that extinguishers are easily accessible if a fire emergency occurs. To determine the correct installation areas in your building, our experienced team will always conduct an on-site fire extinguisher(s) assessment to identify the optimal locations.
Our decisions are strategic and methodical, giving you peace of mind that we have considered every situation. When it comes to office spaces, as an example, we typically place extinguishers near exits and fire risk areas such as printing stations and electrical devices. On the other hand, workshops may benefit from Class A, B, C, and D Electrical extinguishers located nearby the varying fire risks.
Do fire extinguishers need to be wall mounted?
The simple answer is yes. We must ensure that extinguishers are at an elevated height, positioning the carrying handle 1 meter or below from the floor while being conspicuous and regular in their location. Alternatively, fire extinguisher floor stands, trolley units, and wall-mounted/floor-standing cabinets can be used where wall mounting isn’t available or suitable. Furthermore, we avoid placing extinguishers within areas that experience extreme temperatures, as this can affect the media contents and its application.
Why Choose Francis Fire For Your Fire Extinguisher Installations?
At Francis Fire, our mission is to provide fire safety excellence at work beyond mere installations. First and foremost, our professional engineers engage in personalised consultations, identifying each business’s unique needs. We only supply the highest-quality, most-reliable British Standards Kitemarked UKCA extinguishers to our clients.
We pride ourselves on organising bespoke solutions built around a business’s needs. Customer satisfaction and trust are at the forefront of our operations, and by using reputable warrantied manufacturers and being thorough in our installation and business methods, we achieve just that. We are incredibly proud of our Google 5-star feedback, which is a testimony to our efforts.
Our Installation Processes
As highly skilled and experienced fire extinguisher engineers, we strive to follow a meticulous and methodical approach in each fire extinguisher installation. Once we have assessed the fire extinguisher types, sizes and optimal locations, we securely install them on wall brackets or by placing them on appropriate stands, trolleys or cabinets for easy emergency access. We finish all fire point installations by applying the proper photoluminescent fire extinguisher ID signage to give all users the correct and specific first-aid fire-fighting information required with European pictograms and written formats.
It’s important to note that all of our installations aim to comply with the British Standards BS5306-3 & 8, taking the pressure and burden off of you as a business owner. The fire extinguisher installation cost greatly depends on what your business needs, the size of the premises and each fire risk etc.
Further Maintenance and Inspection Services
Remember, once your extinguishers are installed, they still require ongoing annual servicing and professional recertification. Fire extinguishers are only effective and safe to use if they are in perfect working order (all the time!). Therefore, we also offer annual servicing and inspection services alongside our initial installations.
Our engineers conduct thorough inspections, testing and replacing vital consumable parts and service exchanges when necessary. They will always provide detailed attendance reports to document compliance with your Fire Risk Assessment, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and The Health & Safety at Work Act 1976.
Our Previous Clients: Testimonials
Our success with fire extinguisher installations is best represented by the wide range of SMB owners that we have had the pleasure of assisting over the years. Here are a few testimonials from businesses that have experienced the Francis Fire difference:
“Wayne provided a very prompt and expert service and took the time to talk us through the full process and other aspects outside of his service to ensure our facility was as safe as possible and fully compliant.”
“Wayne installed fire extinguishers at my commercial property and now services them annually. He is very professional, knowledgeable and efficient. I would highly recommend.”
Further reviews can be found on our testimonials page.
Are You Looking For Quality Fire Extinguisher Installations in Cheshire?
Fire extinguisher installations form the foundation of any robust fire safety strategy for SMBs. By working with us at Francis Fire, you can rest assured that your business is in the most capable hands. From identifying your specific needs to offering a fully-rounded fire safety solution, we endeavour to deliver an unparalleled service designed to protect what matters most to you.
Let us partner together to make your business a safer place for all. Contact us today via phone at 01270 361 209 for our Nantwich office or 01625 365 199 for our Macclesfield office or by email at info@francisfire.co.uk to begin your journey towards enhanced fire safety and peace of mind.