Fixfire® has been supplying and servicing and maintaining quality fire extinguishers since 1976 and over this period, many items of equipment have successfully extinguished fires that could have had disastrous consequences.

Design Requirements

In order to comply with good practice, fire fighting equipment installations should comply with BS5306 (Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises – Part 8: Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers – Code of Practice).

Generally, It should not be necessary to travel more than 30 metres to reach the nearest Class ‘A’ rated appliance. Class ‘A’ fire risk is present in most premises and includes carbonaceous materials such as wood, paper and textiles. Fire Extinguishers with a Class ‘A’ fire rating include water, foam and dry powder. 

Class ‘A’ fire extinguishers should be positioned at storey exits and on landings at upper floor levels.

Additional appropriate fire extinguishers should be proved to cover perceived ‘Higher Risk’ areas such as kitchens and plant rooms.

Extinguishant Types

Water is suitable for use only on ‘Class A’ risks and is not suitable for direct use on fires involving any electrical source.  Foam spray fire extinguishers are suitable for fires involving ‘Class A and B’ risks.  ‘Class B’ risks are fires involving flammable liquids.  In addition, foam spray is safe for accidental discharge onto fires involving live electrical equipment.

Dry powder fire extinguishers are described as multi-purpose and are safe for use on ‘Class A, Class B and Class C’ risks.  ‘Class C’ risks are fires involving flammable gases.  Dry powder is safe for direct discharge onto fires involving live electrical equipment.  The discharge of a powder extinguisher within buildings can cause a sudden reduction of visibility and can also impair breathing, which could temporarily jeopardize escape, rescue or other emergency action. For this reason, powder extinguishers should generally not be specified for use indoors, unless mitigated by a health and safety risk assessment.

Additional specialist Dry Powder extinguishers are available for metal fires including Magnesium, Sodium, Aluminium and Lithium.

CO2 is a clean fire extinguishant and carries a ‘Class B’ rating. CO2 is ideal for the protection of sophisticated electrical equipment such as computers, machinery, electrical plant etc.  CO2 fire extinguishers do not leave any residue following discharge. CO2 is discharged at a very low temperature and when considering suitability you should consider the risk and consequence of thermal shock to any sensitive equipment.

Wet chemical carries a “Class F” rating and has been developed specifically to combat fires involving deep fat frying equipment.  Wet Chemical extinguishers are now in wide use in commercial kitchen environments.

Ongoing User Maintenance  

It is important that all equipment locations are documented and numbered to ensure fire extinguishers remain in the correct location.  A monthly inspection must be carried out to ensure that appliances are correctly positioned in all locations with tamper seals intact and where fitted, pressure gauges registering ‘in the green’. The Fixfire® Log Book is an excellent tool to record all user and engineer inspections/checks in order to demonstrate compliance.

Fire Safety Training

You should ensure appropriate staff receive Fire Safety Training including the selection and safe operation of different types of appliance. Fixfire® provides Staff Fire Safety Awareness and Fire Marshall/Fire Warden Training at your premises.

‍Ongoing Engineer Maintenance

Fire extinguishers should be serviced annually in accordance with BS5306. The British Standard sets out works which should be completed on each inspection including “extended service” which applies to water, foam and dry powder extinguishers which should be tested by discharge on a 5-yearly basis.

CO2 fire extinguishers should be “hydraulically tested” on a 10-yearly basis.

Fixfire® Ultimex™ Fire Extinguishers

Our quality range of Ultimex fire extinguishers is certified to BSEN3, carries full kite mark approval and a ten-year guarantee (terms and conditions apply).

Fire Extinguisher Signs

The position and type of a fire extinguisher should be indicated on a sign so that, if the extinguisher is removed, this can be identified during a safety inspection, and a replacement ordered.

Wherever practicable, extinguishers should be clearly visible and predominately red. Where this is not possible, through either position or colour, the extinguisher should be indicated by location signs.

Fixfire® provides a complete range of Fire & Safety Signs including Fire Extinguisher type Signs in standard and photoluminescent variants. The TuffSign™ range and IdentiRange™ are ideal for location signing and mounting appliances in commercial/industrial applications.

Fire Extinguishers from the Internet

It is possible to purchase “cheap” fire extinguishers on-line. Considerable care needs to be taken if this is the choice you are making, firstly to ensure that the extinguishers comply with current regulations and secondly that you have factored in the cost to arrange for the appliances to be 'initial-serviced'. In accordance with BS5306 all fire extinguishers must be initially inspected prior to site installation.

When ordering your Fire Extinguishers from Fixfire®, they will be delivered, initial-serviced and positioned by one of our trained service technicians.

It is well to remember the well-known business quotation “the common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It can’t be done.” Fixfire® offers straightforward honest pricing and quality guaranteed products.

‍Fixfire®

For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.

Freephone 08000 891999.