Critical Workplace Fire Extinguisher Requirements You NEED to Know
Protecting your office from fire hazards isn’t just common sense – it’s a legal requirement. Every business in the UK must comply with safety rules and deploy fire extinguishers on its premises. There are several official acts including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that directly address this issue and prescribe very precise instructions regarding fire risk management.
Since this is such an important part of workplace safety, we’ll break down the main rules for fire extinguishers in UK businesses.
Legal Obligations for Fire Extinguishers in the Workplace
Each business must properly evaluate fire risks for every part of the premises and secure a sufficient number of units to cover the entire space. The competent person must also ensure that all the extinguishers are functional and regularly maintained and train the employees on how to use them in case of a fire. All of these activities must be conducted continuously for the company to remain in compliance with the rules.
Fire Extinguishers and Their Uses
Before deciding which fire extinguisher types you need, you should complete a fire safety assessment and select the most suitable types based on British Standard (BS 5306-8). Remember that each is designed to deal with specific types of fire; using the wrong extinguisher could make the fire worse, such as using a water-based extinguisher for an electric fire.
Understanding Fire Extinguisher Classes and Their Uses
Placement and Accessibility
It’s recommended that UK businesses have at least two water-based or foam fire extinguishers (extinguishers capable of putting out Class A fires) on every level of the building. Depending on the equipment on your premises, you may also need other types of fire extinguishers. Those with electrical equipment need CO2 extinguishers.
In addition to having enough fire extinguishers and the correct types, you need to properly position them so they are readily available in emergency situations.
UK government guidance states that businesses must have at least one extinguisher available no further than 30 m from their workstation. They should always be clearly marked and ideally positioned on the walls near the exits and along the most convenient escape routes. In spots where no extinguishers are located there should be signs pointing to the nearest one.
If the premises include any areas with increased chance of fire (kitchens, research labs, etc.), it’s a legal requirement to have fire extinguishers within easy reach. For instance, a kitchen would need a fire extinguisher close to the hobs.
Maintenance and Inspection Guidelines
We already mentioned that regular checks of all fire safety measures are mandatory, as outlined by the BS 5306-3 standard. Compliance also means keeping records of inspections. The government mandates three different types of fire extinguisher servicing, each to be conducted within a specified time period:
- Monthly visual checks, which can be performed by a trained employee and check for damage and that the pressure is still in the green.
- Annual servicing, which must be conducted by a qualified professional and is more detailed than the visual check.
- Extended servicing, which is required every five years (10 for CO2 extinguishers) and can include refilling if the pressure isn’t sufficient.
These checks are essential for keeping your workplace safe. It’s just as critical to keep all the records tidy and up to date, so that you can demonstrate your compliance with the rules in case of an audit.
Staff Training
Extinguishers are only effective if staff can quickly locate and use them in an emergency. This is usually done through fire safety training, which should be standard for all new employees. The training needs to include explanations of each extinguisher’s use and practical demonstrations on how to use them effectively for fire suppression.
Any changes to the layout of fire extinguishers within the building need to be communicated clearly and new signage posted to indicate their locations. Organisations are encouraged to conduct fire drills to ensure the evacuation plan functions as intended. At least one drill per year is recommended.
Get Expert Advice and Stay Safe
UK fire regulations are very detailed and must be followed closely, so it can be useful to partner with safety professionals to provide guidance and advice. Safety Hands has many years of experience assisting British companies in fire risk assessment, fire extinguisher positioning, and other critical areas of workplace safety. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your business.
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