Fire Extinguishers: What Type You Need and Where They Must Go

 Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person for a workplace has to make sure suitable fire-fighting equipment is provided, and that it works when it is needed. That does not mean piling extinguishers into whichever cupboard has room, the type, number and position all matter, and getting it wrong is one of the more common findings on a fire risk assessment.

The main extinguisher types and what they are for

Water extinguishers, red label, are for wood, paper and fabric fires, class A. They must never be used on electrical equipment or on burning fat or oil. CO2 extinguishers, black label, are the standard choice near computers, servers and electrical panels because they leave no residue and are safe on live equipment. Foam extinguishers, cream label, cover class A fires and are safer than water around some flammable liquids. Powder extinguishers, blue label, are multi-purpose but rarely recommended indoors any more because the powder cloud can obscure escape routes and is unpleasant to breathe. Wet chemical extinguishers, canary yellow label, are for commercial kitchens, they are the only type rated for deep fat fryer fires, class F.

How many you need and where they go

BS 5306-8, the British Standard for fire extinguisher selection and siting, is what most fire risk assessors work to alongside the Fire Safety Order. As a general guide, extinguishers are sited so nobody has to travel more than about 30 metres to reach one in a low-risk area, closer for higher-risk premises. They should sit on escape routes, near exits, and be visible or clearly signed, not tucked behind furniture or stock. Wall-mounted brackets keep them off the floor and stop them being knocked over or blocking a walkway.

Servicing and who is responsible

Extinguishers need a basic visual check monthly, usually done in-house, and a full annual service by a competent contractor under BS 5306-3. The responsible person named in the fire risk assessment is the one who has to make sure this actually happens and is recorded, not just assumed. An extinguisher that has not been serviced can fail exactly when it is needed, and missing service records are a common finding when the fire service or an insurer asks to see evidence of compliance.

What inspectors actually check

When someone comes to check fire provision, they are not just counting extinguishers, they are checking the right type is in the right place, that the pressure gauge, where fitted, is in the green, and that the pin and tamper seal are intact and nothing is blocking access to it. Extinguishers that have been discharged, even partially, or that show corrosion or damage, need replacing, not just noting for next time.
If you want the fuller picture of what a fire risk assessment covers beyond just extinguishers, our fire risk assessment checklist article walks through it room by room, and our guide on how often a fire risk assessment needs reviewing covers when this all needs revisiting.
If you are not confident your current extinguisher provision would hold up to scrutiny, or you just want it checked properly rather than guessed at, Tony Carlyon's fire risk assessment service covers UK properties and businesses of this size, done properly and written up so you have a clear record to show if anyone ever asks for it.
If you want a quick way to check you've got the basics covered without paying for an assessment first, grab the free UK landlord and small business compliance checklist and I'll send it straight over.

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