A Guide to Fire Extinguisher Safety

Fire extinguishers are one piece of equipment that’s vital if you want to ensure your business or commercial premises are fire safe. Along with fire alarms and fire safety doors, fire extinguishers can significantly increase your building’s safety and ensure that you’re fully prepared in the event of a fire. 

Extinguishers are designed with safety in mind, but it’s important to be aware of proper storage, maintenance and user protocol, to ensure that you stay safe at all times. With this in mind, read on for our guide to fire extinguisher safety, from the correct storage conditions to how they should be used.

There are several different types of fire extinguisher available, each designed to tackle a different type of fire. It’s important to be aware of the variations, as you may need a certain type of extinguisher depending on your workplace or industry. Water extinguishers are usually the most cost effective and they can be used to tackle what’s known as a Class A fire (fire caused by solid material like wood, paper or soft furnishings). 

Foam fire extinguishers are best suited to liquid fires, caused by flammable substances like diesel or petrol. Powder extinguishers are a good all rounder for solid, liquid or gas fires, but they’re generally not suitable for use indoors. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are designed to tackle electrical fires and wet chemical extinguishers are best for use in commercial kitchens (they tackle fires caused by cooking oils or fats). 

Fire extinguishers should be permanently mounted in a bracket or cabinet and placed in a position that’s easily accessible and highly visible. Most people place extinguishers in a public corridor, or near a stairwell or emergency exit to give them the maximum chance of being seen. It’s also a good idea to place extinguishers near a fire alarm so that people can sound the alarm at the same time. 

Extinguishers should be placed near to potential fire hazards, but not so close that it becomes a risk. There are rules which dictate the maximum distance that someone should have to travel to reach an extinguisher in the event of an emergency, usually 10 or 30 metres depending on the class and type of fire. 

It’s important to arrange regular fire safety training for all staff, to ensure that anyone using a fire extinguisher is properly trained to do so. Never attempt to use an extinguisher without proper training, instead, raise the alarm and exit the building as quickly as possible. 

If you have been trained and feel confident tackling a small fire, use the PASS technique; pull the pin to break the tamper seal, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle to release and sweep from side to side until the fire is extinguished. 

If you’re in need of fire extinguisher installation and maintenance, get in touch with the experts at Ace Fire Alarms. We stock a range of high quality extinguishers to help protect your business, alongside additional fire safety equipment including alarms and fire awareness training. All of our equipment is manufactured to the highest standards and comes with a five year warranty for your peace of mind. We’re also on hand to carry out annual maintenance on your extinguishers, so give us a call today or visit our website to find out more.