BS Selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers. Click Arrow to Start

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1 BS Selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers Click Arrow to Start Established 1985

2 BS BS has been revised and now withdrawn. This presentation describes the significant changes in the new version of BS The new standard of BS came into force on the 31 October 2012.

3 Principal changes Recognition of changes in relevant legislation Recommendations added on environmental impacts Information on the use of powder revised Clarification on the requirements for class A hazards Changes in the recommendations for class B and class C hazards Erroneous reference to class E removed Travel distances revised Changes to the recommendations on signs Calculation examples updated Advice on reducing vandalism added Recommendations added on the reservation of service information Advice added on extinguisher discharge characteristics

4 Standard Title 2000 Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers 2012 Selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers

5 Section 1: Scope for the protection of buildings and other premises and their contents for the protection of buildings, other premises, contents, and to assist evacuation.

6 New Definitions Competent Person (replaces supplier) Fire hazard (new) Fire risk (new) Responsible person (replaces user) Storey (new) Process of identifying fire hazards changed.

7 Section 4.1: Provision of Extinguishers a fire risk assessment should be carried out. The conclusions of this study should be used to decide upon the provision of portable fire extinguishers which will be needed the findings of the fire risk assessment should be used to help determine requirements for increased levels of extinguisher cover above the scale of provision of portable extinguishers as recommended in clause 8

8 Section 4.2: The environment The impact of the discharge of the extinguishing medium on the environment should be taken into account. Extinguishing medium can cause collateral damage to many things such as, but not restricted to, food, machinery, building fabric, fixtures, fittings, artefacts and sensitive equipment. Expert advice on the impact of the discharge from a fire extinguisher on the local environment should be sought from a competent person. Advice on the impact of extinguishers (and their content) on the wider environment should be sought from extinguisher manufacturers and distributors.

9 Section 4.4: Unoccupied buildings 2000 unused buildings was part of erection and demolition of buildings New clause; the responsible person or competent person should assess the provision of extinguishers where buildings or parts thereof, are unoccupied.

10 Section 4.5: Training extinguishers are useful only where people are present who are prepared and able to use them The competent person should bring to the attention of the responsible person the legal requirements for training. Every opportunity should be taken to instruct personnel in the use of extinguishers, and to demonstrate their performance.

11 Section 5 : Extinguisher Characteristics 2012 Clause 5, newly created to amalgamate old and new advice. Fire Ratings Temperature Range Discharge Range Discharge Conductivity Use of Powder Indoors Colour Coding Gaseous Media

12 Section 5.1: General New version refers to extinguishers in the EN3 range having total mass 2Kg to 20Kg. Old version referred to 1Kg to 20Kg

13 Section 5.2: Fire Rating This standard re-confirms that we should continue to use the fire rating of an extinguisher to calculate the required levels of coverage, as it is a performance criteria.

14 Section 5.4.1: Discharge, Distance & Direction The distance over which an extinguisher can expel its contents should be taken into account. Jet type discharge will travel a considerable further distance than a spray which might be important in areas that have shelving or racking. Light of gaseous extinguishing media should not be specified where wind or draughts could adversely affect the direction or distance.

15 Section 5.4.2: Conductivity Only non-conductive extinguishing media, such as carbon dioxide, powder or other clean agent, should be specified for use on electrical equipment. Responsible Person to be aware that electrical equipment needs to be switched off before any extinguisher is discharged onto it.

16 Section 5.4.3: Use of Powder extinguishers 2000 The discharge of powder extinguishers in a confined space can cause a sudden reduction of visibility which may jeopardize escape, rescue or other emergency actions. For this reason waterbased extinguishers are to be preferred in hospitals, old people homes and hotels For this reason, powder extinguishers should generally not be specified for use indoors, unless mitigated by a health and safety risk assessment.

17 Section 5.5: Colour Coding This revision re-confirms that the colour coding of all portable extinguishers in a new installation should conform to the recommendations of BS 7863.

18 Section 6: Positioning The structure of the standard has been revised to make this information much easier to find: Location and Accessibility Visibility Mounting Height Brackets Travel Distance Protection from Corrosion and Vandalism

19 Section 6.1: Location & Accessibility The position and type of a fire extinguisher should be indicated on a sign so that, if the extinguisher is removed, its type can be identified during a safety inspection, and a replacement ordered.

20 Section 6.4: Travel Distance Class A: Class B: Class C: Class D: Class F: Electrical: 30m 10m 30m case-by-case 10m 10m

21 Section 6.4: Travel Distance Where the prospective operator is required to pass through doorways to reach the nearest extinguisher, the above travel distances should be reduced to maintain a short time between discovery of a fire and the moment at which the operator is able to start fighting the fire with the extinguisher.

22 Fire Extinguisher Chart

23 Section 6.5: Vandalism Extinguishers located in any public access environments, e.g. schools, colleges, public houses, and retail outlets, are susceptible to vandalism or being stolen. Measures should be taken to reduce the possibility of extinguishers being vandalized or stolen. If relocating extinguishers is neither desirable nor practical, such measures could include, but not limited to, protection covers, boxes and audible alarms.

24 Section 8: Distribution of extinguishers The scale of provision in this part of BS 5306 should be regarded as a minimum, which will need to be increased if the fire risk assessment determines a higher level. Other fire-fighting equipment or systems might also be required in addition to the portable extinguisher cover recommended here. Where such other means are provided, the expert advice of a competent person should be sought.

25 Section 10: Replacement extinguishers The responsible person should ensure that the provision of extinguishers on site does not fall below the minimum recommended by this part of BS 5306 and the fire risk assessment. Discharged extinguishers should therefore be recharged or replaced after use. This may be achieved by making sufficient spare extinguishers available.

26 Thank you for your time. My contact Details: Stephen Hipkiss GIFireE Fire Safety Manager Contract Fire Security CFS Business Park Coleshill Road Sutton Coldfield West Midlands B75 7FS Mobile: Tel: Fax: Web: Exit