Assuming you have conducted your fire risk assessment and purchased fire extinguishers
appropriate to the risks you have identified the next step is to position them in the premises
for optimum accessibility and ease of use.
Every building has its own particular layout and structural constraints but there are some
basic guidelines you can follow to ensure your fire extinguishers are best placed for
action if a fire occurs.
Firstly locate your Extinguishers in conspicuous positions centrally placed in the building
so they will be readily seen.
If possible position them along a fire escape route.
Don’t fix on walls behind opening doors or hide away in cupboards and certainly don’t
just place the extinguisher randomly on the bare floor where it can be overturned or damaged.
As a guide position your extinguishers in such a way that no member of staff is required
to travel more than 30 metres from the site of a fire to reach an extinguisher.
If you have different types of fire risk requiring different types of Fire extinguisher position
individual extinguishers close to the relevant fire risk.
Provided you can comply with the 30 metre rule co locating fire extinguishers in a single
fire point is recommended for ease of location and access in an emergency.
If you do create a fire point in this way you should provide clearly marked signs adjacent
each fire extinguisher indicating the different types of extinguisher and the Classes of fire
they can be used on.
A know your extinguisher sign gives specific information on the use of each extinguisher.
You can get signs that also include operating instructions and on all quality extinguishers
the instructions are also on the canister itself.
Having decided where to place your extinguishers you now need to ensure they are securely located
and protected from accidental damage, vandalism and theft but remain accessible for quick
deployment in an emergency.
Extinguishers can be securely hung on the wall brackets and screw fixings provided with
each extinguisher.
Avoid using off the shelf clamps and brackets.
Check that the structure of the fixing surface and wall is strong enough to support the total
weight of the extinguisher before fixing.
As a guide fix heavier extinguishers to the wall with the carry handle 1 metre from the
floor.
At this height it is easier to lift the extinguisher off its bracket.
Fix smaller extinguishers weighing up to 4 kilogrammes or so with the carrying handle
around 1 point 5 metres from the floor.
Remember to fix the matching extinguisher ID sign adjacent the extinguisher.
In open access buildings such as hospitals, shopping malls and public buildings security
and protection from vandalism is a greater concern.
Fire extinguisher cabinets are available in both sheet metal and high impact plastic to
accept up to two 9 litre fire extinguishers.
The new rotationally moulded cabinets have multiple anchor points to allow fixing to
a wall, floor, post or the chassis of a heavy goods vehicle.
Tamper evident seals and key locks used in conjunction with a break glass key holder
offer further security.
As I said previously simply placing extinguishers in direct contact with the floor is not recommended
but there are a wide range of low cost floor stands available to suit any extinguisher
combination.
These simple but effective moulded stands provide a stable corrosion proof base and
recess to locate the extinguisher and come in a range of sizes to accommodate different
sizes and types of extinguisher.
Slightly more sophisticated and robust are the upright moulded extinguisher stands often
used as the basis for fire points.
The raised back offers more stability and is convenient for attaching extinguisher information
signs.
Tubular steel stands suited to more heavy duty industrial and commercial premises have
a durable finish and are supplied with brackets and fixing kit for secure attachment of the
extinguishers.
A chrome plated version offers a stylish and hygienic solution for hospitals, clean rooms
and modern offices and ideally compliments our range of stainless steel and polished
aluminium fire extinguishers.
If the fire risks on your premises are not static or your business operation covers a
wide area mobile extinguishers stands and trolleys that have fixings to attach one or
two large hand operated fire extinguishers are available.
You can tailor a mobile fire point with the extinguishers of your choice to rapidly deploy
to any part of the premises in a fire emergency.
The range is completed by a practical wheeled fire point with push pull handle stabilising
legs and back panel for attaching safety signage, useful for providing temporary fire protection
on construction sites and industrial premises.
They are also widely used on garage forecourts where the unit can be quickly and easily moved
to a secure location during closing hours.
From an insurance liability and health and safety point of view you should ensure any
installation work is carried out by a competent person.
If you are fixing fire equipment to a wall be careful to check that the wall or structure
to be drilled is free from hidden electrical cables, pipe work or any other obstruction
before commencing fixing.
Of course if all this sounds too much to handle you can employ a professional fire safety
company to conduct your fire risk assessment and install and commission your fire extinguishers
in line with current fire safety codes of practice.
You can find more details on our website.
And remember when it comes to your safety come to fireandsafetycentre dot co dot uk.