Responsibility for complying with the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the associated Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 rests with the owner/employer of all commercial properties. Your insurance may be effected if you are not in compliance.

Fire Extinguishers Guidance Chart

To provide you with information about which type of fire extinguisher you might need please look at the table below, all fire extinguishers have the body colour of signal red, and at least 5% of the body must be colour coded in the pre-EN3 (BS 5423) colours.

Additionally, the majority of fire extinguishers have a numerical rating which is based on tests conducted by professional fire-fighters that are designed to determine the extinguishing potential for each size and type of extinguisher.

In the instance of class ‘A’ fires, the numerical value is the size of fire in cubic metres that the extinguisher can put out.

For class ‘B’ fires the numerical value represents the amount of litres of flammable liquid that can be extinguished.

Class ‘C’ fires have no numerical value as flammable gas is very difficult to measure in cubic metres – it depends on the ratio of gas to air there is in the local atmosphere.

Class ‘D’ fires have a numerical value, this represents size of fire in cubic metres that the extinguisher can put out.

‘E’ Class fires have no numerical value – please remember once the source of the electricity is shut down, the electrical fire will revert to a different class.

The numerical value in ‘F’ class fires is the same as in ‘B’ class fires – it represents the amount of litres of flammable liquid (cooking oils etc) that can be extinguished.

Why Extinguisher Need Servicing

Tamper Seal

The tamper seal performs two functions; holding the safety pin in place and providing a visual indication that the safety pin has not been removed so the extinguisher couldn’t have been discharged using the handle.

The gauge

The needle in the gauge can sometimes stick due to damage or moisture. This means that the extinguisher could have lost pressure completely but the gauge would still show the needle in the green indicating that it is fully pressurised.

Body

If the body of the fire extinguisher shows signs of corrosion, dents, gouges etc. it could be dangerous. There is a possibility that the extinguisher could burst, releasing all of its stored pressure instantly and severely injure the user.

The extinguisher must also display certain information on the label in regards to its operation, ratings, refilling etc. If any of this text is no longer legible the extinguisher will be condemned.

Hose

If the hose is damaged, torn, frayed etc. there is a possibility that it will leak during discharge. If all of the extinguishant (foam, water, powder etc.) is not reaching the fire due to a leak then the extinguisher will have a lower rating than stated on the cylinder and will be less effective.