Fire extinguishers are an important part of any workplace in Bedfordshire. They can help to prevent a small fire from becoming a major one, and they can also help to keep employees safe in the event of a fire. To ensure that your workplace is prepared for a fire, it is important to have functioning fire extinguishers on site.
Fire extinguisher servicing is imperative when it comes to fire safety regulations, but they’re frequently misused as doorstops or worse, left in a corner and forgotten about. A failure to operate if not properly maintained is another danger associated with neglected fire extinguishers in the Bedford area.
What are the different types of fire extinguishers?
Water
Most fires caused in Bedfordshire workplaces are by solid combustibles such as wood, paper and textiles. If “di-electrically tested“, some water extinguishers are safe for electrical equipment. Otherwise, because ordinary water is a conductor, caution is advised when working with electricity.
AFFF Foam
Class A and B (flammable liquids). This extinguisher is safe for electrical equipment if di-electrically tested.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Class B and electrical equipment
ABC Powder
Class A, B, and C (flammable gases) and electricals
De-Ionised Water Mist
Class A, B, C and electricals
Wet Chemical
Class F (deep fat) fires, sometimes class A
Annual Checks
It is a legal requirement (Regulatory Reform “Fire Safety” Order 2005) that all fire extinguishers are checked and serviced annually by a competent person. This involves an external company coming in to check the weight, pressure, general appearance, correct positioning, and date of the last service.
Each fire extinguisher is subjected to a 20-point examination before it can be approved as safe to use when a Fire Extinguisher Technician visits. They’ll be able to spot any extinguishers that have reached the end of their life cycle before you wind up with one that won’t work or, worse yet, becomes a hazard to your employees in your Bedford-based workplace.
Selecting a service provider
When choosing a reliable service provider to examine and sustain your extinguishers, you should make sure that the company or individual performing the inspection and maintenance has all the correct accreditations. This implies that though your extinguishers have been ‘serviced,’ they may still not be in good working order. Selecting the right company is important to make sure your fire extinguishers are compliant and will work as intended in the event of a fire.
As an example, The Fire Equipment Association (FEA) is the UK’s leading trade association for the fire safety industry. Any company that is a member (like the “British Fire Consortium”) of the FEA has to adhere to a strict code of practice and is regularly audited to make sure they’re providing a high level of service in Bedford and the surrounding areas.
When you use an FEA-approved company, such as Fire Response UK, you can be confident that you’re getting a quality service that meets all the relevant British Standards.
Third-Party Certification
Third-Party Certification refers to an external company verifying and validating the company’s practices. It’s intended to provide your Bedford business with peace of mind while selecting a fire protection provider since those with Third-Party Certification are more likely to have the demonstrated skills, knowledge, experience, and competence to do the necessary work in your Bedfordshire place of work and give you recommendations if any changes are required.
For example, if you’ve had any recent construction or an extension to your building – this would most likely influence your fire protection.
All fire extinguisher service companies should be able to provide you with a certificate of compliance after they’ve serviced your equipment. This certificate is required by your insurer and by law, so make sure you get one and keep it in a safe place.
Fire Response UK services all types of fire extinguishers to the current British Standards (BS EN3: 1996). We also offer our customers a comprehensive portfolio of ancillary products and fire safety services, including Fire Alarms, Emergency Lighting, Fire Risk Assessments, and more.
The Fire Industry Association (FIA)
The FIA is the UK’s leading trade association for the fire safety industry. Any company that is a member of the FIA has to adhere to a strict code of practice and is regularly audited to make sure they are carrying out its job correctly.
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) in the United Kingdom’s main fire protection trade association, with more than 750 members in different fire-relevant companies. Membership in the organisation is limited by stringent competence requirements, and all members are Third Party Certificated.
When you use an FIA-approved company, such as Fire Response UK, you can be confident that you’re getting a quality service that meets all the relevant British Standards.
People Also Ask
What are the fire extinguisher Colours?
The different colours of fire extinguishers refer to the type of fire they are intended to be used on.
- Blue (Dry Powder Extinguishers)
- Black (Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers)
- Cream (Foam Extinguishers)
- Red (Water Extinguishers)
- Yellow (Wet Chemical Extinguishers)
What is a 6l Fire Extinguisher?
A 6l fire extinguisher is a water-based fire extinguisher that is designed to tackle class A (paper, wood, textile) and class C (electrical) fires. The unit contains six litres of water and has a built-in pressure gauge so that you can check the level of charge.
What is the difference between a Fire Blanket and a Fire Extinguisher?
- A fire blanket is a piece of fire-resistant material that can be used to smother a small fire or wrap around a person who is on fire.
- A fire extinguisher is a portable device that is used to extinguish fires by spraying them with water, foam, or dry powder.
What are the 3 methods of extinguishing a fire?
The three methods of extinguishing a fire are smothering, cooling, and removing the source.
- Smothering involves using a material to block the oxygen supply to the fire.
- Cooling involves using water or another liquid to lower the temperature of the fuel below its ignition point.
- Remove the fuel or oxygen source, effectively removing one of the three elements of fire.
How do you cut the oxygen off the fire?
One way to cut the oxygen off the fire is to smother it with a blanket or another piece of fire-resistant material. This will block the oxygen supply to the fire and eventually extinguish it. Another way to remove oxygen from the equation is to use a fire extinguisher that uses CO2 (carbon dioxide) as its extinguishing agent. This will displace the oxygen in the area and make it difficult for the fire to continue burning.