Portable Fire Extinguishers - Siting and General Inspection

FPA BULLETIN FP 02

Distribution

The distribution of extinguishers is dependent on several factors including the risk to be protected, floor area and individual practical considerations. SABS 0400: The application of the National Building Regulations and SABS 0105: The classification, use and control of fire-fighting equipment, guide the provision of portable fire extinguishers.
The following are examples for some of the more common occupancy types.

EXTINGUISHER PROVISION

Maintenance

It is important that extinguishers be maintained in accordance with SABS 1475: The Production of Reconditioned Fire-fighting Equipment and the Occupational Health and Safety Act as amended.

FREQUENCY OF RECONDITIONING FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Key to Symbols

More frequent maintenance is required for extinguishers that are mounted on vehicles or that are subject to vibration, because the powder could become compacted.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) fire extinguishers may only be filled, recharged, reconditioned, repaired or inspected by an SABS 1475 mark permit holder.

Situation

Having selected and purchased the correct extinguisher for the risk to be protected, it should be correctly situated to expedite its use during an emergency.

The points below are merely guides and may be altered to fit the specific situation:

• Extinguishers should not normally be more than 46m apart.
• To ensure ready access, evenly distribute units over the entire floor area.
• Extinguishers should be conspicuously situated in main escape ways and near exits.
• To obviate the likelihood of an extinguisher creating an obstruction, it could be positioned in a well-marked recess in a wall.
• Extinguishers should be mounted on brackets fitted to walls or columns with their carrying handles not more than 1,5m above floor level and not left standing on the floor where they may be obscured or knocked over. However, if the situation warrants a small shelf for the extinguisher, then the base of the appliance should not be less than approximately 0,75m from the floor. Under exceptional circumstances e.g. old age homes where residents may experience difficulty in lifting a unit from its bracket, base blocks may be used to support it on the floor.  These blocks are secured to the floor and provide some stability for the unit.
• Extinguishers must be easily accessible and conspicuously marked. Mounting extinguishers against a background of alternating red and white diagonal stripes will considerably improve their visibility from a distance. SABS Standard 1186 gives guidance on suitable symbolic safety signs.
• Extinguishers located outdoors should be in cabinets with their operating instructions facing outwards. The appliances should be positioned so they may easily be removed.

Fire alarms should preferably be located near fire equipment points or vice versa. This way, anyone sounding the alarm has immediate access to the extinguishers.

Trolleys on which different types of extinguishers are mounted are an effective method of conveying several units to the scene of the fire.

Special risk areas such as flammable liquid magazines, dip tanks, transformer rooms, spray booths etc. should have extinguishers near at hand, but not too close to the risk where they could become reached by the fire or be impossible to reach. Units should not be located within confined spaces.

Low temperatures are liable to affect the operation of most extinguishers and for this reason, they should not be situated in areas where the temperature is likely to drop below 4°C.  If water extinguishers are exposed to severe weather conditions then a suitable antifreeze should be considered (consult the manufacturers).

This extinguisher is mounted on a wooden backing board against a red background. The high-level red and white diagonal stripes with the symbolic sign below can be easily seen from a distance. Demarcated lines on the floor indicate that nothing may be placed on the floor below the extinguisher.

High temperatures could lead to the rupturing of stored pressure type, vaporising liquid and carbon dioxide extinguishers. The foam compound in foam extinguishers could deteriorate in hot areas and if temperatures are likely to exceed 43°C it is advisable to consult the extinguisher suppliers or manufacturers.

Corrosive atmospheres could reduce the life expectancy of the extinguisher body and it is therefore important that inspections are carried out at most frequent intervals than is normally recommended.

Vibration also constitutes a problem in that dry powder may become compacted in areas such as hammer mills, and when mounted on vehicles. Under such conditions, it is essential that the extinguisher is securely bracketed and frequently inspected.

References:

FPA(UK) Data sheet FS 6002 Portable Fire Extinguishers – Siting, Care and Maintenance.
SABS Code of practice 0105
SABS 1475 – The Production of Reconditioned Portable Fire-fighting Appliances.
British standards Institution – Code of Practice for Fire Extinguishing installations and equipment on premises BS 5306 Part 3
FPASA Fire Protection Guide for Industry

Published by
Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa
(Incorporated Association not for Gain)
(Reg.No. 73/00022/08)
P O Box 15467, Impala Park, 1472

Fire Extinguishers - Inspection and Maintenance.pdf

People in Risk

Marcel Wood

Marcel Wood heads Etana’s risk management division. Before starting in insurance he worked for the fire department, rescuing people and (literally) putting out fires. He’s passed through Munich Re and Santam, and has designed the only risk management tool aimed specifically at the insurance industry – ARQ. Marcel is a mean guitarist, a brilliant vocalist and an accomplished soccer player with the personal motto: “Do your best all the time”.