Fire Extinguishers

When you consider that fire extinguishers successfully put out 88 per cent of fires it demonstrates just what an effective ally they are in your fire safety provision.

LogiScan Fire and Security offers the very latest fire extinguisher equipment through its parent company Securi-Guard, which is British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) SP101 approved for the Contract Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers and can help you meet the requirements of fire safety under BS 5306. They also adhere to a strict environmental policy in terms of the equipment and its disposal.

Securi-Guard are able to supply, install and provide contract maintenance for all types of fire extinguisher for a whole host of customers including:

• large and small businesses
• retail outlets
• hotels/B&B’s
• nursing homes
• schools and other educational buildings

Fire Extinguishers

• Water Fire Extinguishers. The cheapest and most widely used fire extinguishers suitable for Class A fires
• Foam Fire Extinguishers. More expensive than water, but more versatile. Used for Class A and B fires
• Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers. Often termed the ‘multi-purpose’ extinguisher, can be used on most fires, but best for running liquid fires
• Wet chemical. Specialist extinguisher for class F fires
• For Metal Fires. A specialist fire extinguisher for use on Class D fires, such as sodium, lithium, manganese and aluminium when in the form of swarf or turnings
• CO2 Fire Extinguishers. Carbon Dioxide is ideal for fires involving electrical apparatus and will also extinguish Class B fires, but has NO POST FIRE SECURITY and the fire could re-ignite.

Fire Extinguisher Classification

In choosing the correct equipment for the risk factors in your environment, it is important to know the classification for fire extinguishers:

• A Wood, paper and textiles
• B Flammable liquids
• C Flammable gases
• D Metal
• F Cooking oil and fat fires

Electrical fires do not have a separate classification as they come under all of the above. A CO2 extinguisher is recommended for tackling such a fire, although water extinguishers can be used, but only if a power supply has been isolated.

Fire Extinguisher Colour Coding

Prior to 1st Jan 1997, the code of practice for fire extinguishers in the UK was BS 5423, which advised the colour coding of fire extinguishers as follows:

• Water – Red
• Foam – Cream
• Dry Powder – Blue
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – Black

New extinguishers should conform to BS EN 3, which requires that the entire body of the extinguisher be coloured red. A zone of colour of up to 5% of the external area can be used to identify the contents using the old colour coding shown above.

If you would like to discuss your Fire Extinguisher requirements please contact the Fire Extinguisher Manager today via www.scutum.uk.

For further information on the legislation governing fire safety in the workplace, visit www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities