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Fire extinguishers

Firefighting equipment should be provided in all areas. All firefighting equipment should be maintained annually by a competent person.

It is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to implement and maintain fire-fighting equipment.

Only fight a fire if it is safe to do so.

Minimum requirements

  • At least one 9Ltr water extinguisher should be provided per floor.
  • One 9Ltr water extinguisher, or the equivalent, should be provided for every 200 square metres of floor area.
  • The distance a person must travel to reach an extinguisher or hose reel should not exceed 30 metres.
  • Hose reels should reach to within six metres of the extent of the floor area they are intended to cover.
  • Specialist extinguishers should be located in areas deemed to offer significant or unusual risks.

Most fires on church premises can be extinguished with water, using an extinguisher or hose reel. The exceptions are fires involving oils and fats, e.g. deep fat fryers on which foam or AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) solution extinguishers should be used.

Fires involving live electrical equipment should be dealt with using carbon dioxide extinguishers, preferably after the power has been isolated to prevent re-ignition. A fire blanket can be used to cover a fire involving a pan of fat, and can also be used to wrap around a person whose clothing is on fire. 

Fire extinguishers should be in a visible position on escape routes, preferably near entry/exit doors, bearing in mind the risk of theft. Where practicable, they should be securely hung on wall brackets. Where this is not possible, extinguishers should be placed on a suitable base plate above floor level.

To assist in lifting and carrying, the handles of larger, heavier extinguishers should be about a metre from the floor, but smaller lighter extinguishers may be mounted at a higher level.

Types of fire extinguishers

The location of all extinguishers must be clearly indicated by suitable signs particularly where their location is not immediately obvious.

Water Extinguishers

Colour – red.

Extinguishing action – by cooling burning material.

Suitable for – carbonaceous fires, those involving solid materials, usually of an organic nature, in which combustion takes place with the formation of glowing embers.

DANGER: Do not use on live electrical equipment or burning oil or fat.

Foam Extinguishers

Colour – cream or red with cream panel.

Extinguishing action – forms a blanket of foam over the surface of the burning liquid and smothers the fire.

Suitable for – fires involving liquids or liquefiable solids, such as fats.

DANGER: Do not use on live electrical equipment.

Dry Powder Extinguishers

Colour – blue or red with a blue panel.

Extinguishing action – chemical inhibition of combustion.

Suitable for – any type of fire but may leave a residue which could involve heavy cleaning costs.

DANGER: These units are not suitable for use on fires involving organs and not recommended for kitchens. Dry Powder has a limited cooling effect and care should be taken to ensure the fire does not re-ignite.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers

Colour – black or red with a black panel.

Extinguishing action – displacement of oxygen in the air.

Suitable for – fires involving oils and fats – safe on electrical equipment.

DANGER: CO2 has a limited cooling effect and care should be taken to ensure that the fire does not re-ignite.

DANGER:  Fumes from CO2 extinguishers can be harmful to users in confined spaces.  The area should be ventilated as soon as the fire has been extinguished.  To avoid cold burns the extinguisher should only be held by the handle and not the horn.

Fire Blanket

Suitable for – small fires involving burning liquid e.g. deep fat fryers.

WARNING: Do not remove the blanket from a fryer until it has cooled.
Switch off heat source.  Do NOT remove fryer until it is cool.

Checklist

  • Are the extinguishers suitable for the purpose?
  • Are there enough extinguishers sited throughout the premises at appropriate locations?
  • Are the right types of extinguishers located close to the fire hazards and can users get to them without exposing themselves to risk?
  • Are the extinguishers visible or does their position need indicating?
  • Have you taken steps to prevent the misuse of extinguishers?
  • Do you regularly check equipment provided?
  • Do you carry out daily checks to ensure that there is clear access for fire engines and that escape routes are clear and unobstructed?
  • Are those who test and maintain the equipment competent to do so?
  • Do you have the necessary procedures in place to maintain any facilities that have been provided for the safety of people in the building (or for the use of firefighters, such as access for fire engines and firefighting lifts)?

In the event of a fire, only those persons trained in their correct operation should use extinguishers. No attempt should be made to tackle a fire if this places the person in any danger.

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Page last modified 24 September 2024