Fire Safety Technical Note UCL FIRE EXTINGUISHER SCALING & LOCATION POLICY Reference: BS 5306-8: code of practice for fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers. 1.0. Introduction 1.1. Experience has shown that most fires that have been discovered in their early stages have been successfully tackled and extinguished by the use of portable fire appliances. Portable fire extinguishers are valuable in the early stages of fire when their portability and immediate availability for use by one person enables a prompt attack to be made. They cannot be expected to deal with a large fire since they are essentially a first aid fire-fighting measure with a limited capacity. Therefore, for effective fire safety management within the UCL Estate, the provision of effectual and sufficient portable fire extinguishers is essential. 1.1. Specific information on the Classification of Fires for Extinguishing Purposes (UCL Technical Guide: TN 024) and individual fire extinguisher type guides, providing practical information and safe handling are available from the UCL fire safety web site. The extinguisher data sheets and specifically classification of fires should be read, before handling or using fire extinguishers. 2.0. Provision & Location of Fire Extinguishers 2.1. UCL will provide and position fire extinguisher equipment based on the guidance at Reference A (with the exception of Para 6.4), and generally as follows: (a). Extinguishers will be provided to meet the provision of a 13A rating for every 200m 2 of Class A risk, they will generally be paired at designated Fire Points with suitable extinguishers to deal with Electrical fires. (b). Where there is flammable liquid or liquefiable solid risk, suitable extinguishers will be provided to deal with Class B risks, which may also be used in conjunction with a Fire Blanket. Alcohol resistant foams will also be supplied where required. (c). Where a wall mounted Fire Hose Reel is installed, generally no additional portable water extinguishers will be provided. Date Last Amended: Jan 17 1.
(d). (e). (f). (g). (h). Where departments require a specialist fire extinguishers to deal with specific materials or risks; a copy of the product safety data sheet for those substances will be required by the UCL Fire Safety Manager to confirm the correct fire extinguishing agent to be provided. Extinguishers will not be placed inside rooms (including Laboratories), unless there is a very specific risk identified or the size of the room dictates. Extinguishers will be sited in such a way that it is not necessary to travel more than 30m from the site of the fire to reach an extinguisher. Fire extinguishers will generally be provided at a Fire Points which will be located in corridors, on landings or in stair enclosures - safe areas on the escape route out of the building. Fire points will be located as close as reasonably practicable to fire alarm break glass manual call points (MCPs). MCPs are generally sited so that they are no more than 30m in travel distance to raise the alarm. Fire Action Notices will be provided at fire points, so that those persons raising the alarm can follow the correct action necessary. 3.0. General Principals in Positioning Extinguishers 3.1. The general principal (See Reference A) governing the positioning of fire extinguishers: (a). In the event of a fire, occupants should move away from the immediate location of the fire to a place of relative safety (i.e. corridor, landing or stair enclosure). (b). Occupants will generally find a 'fire point' containing fire-fighting equipment and a Manual Call Point for raising alarm to warn other occupants. (c). Occupants should operating the nearest break glass fire alarm call point (MCP) and raise the alarm - then make a judgement on whether or not it is safe and practicable to return to tackle the fire with a suitable extinguisher. If in doubt, leave by the nearest fire exit, ensuring that the alarm is raised. Only go back and attack the fire with an appropriate fire extinguisher if it safe and you are confident to do so - do not place yourself or others at risk - if in doubt get out. 4.0. Student Halls of Residences - Extinguisher Policy In student hall of residences, the policy will be to provide the minimum amount of fire equipment due to in appropriate and malicious use. Date Last Amended: Jan 17 2.
5.0. Fire Extinguisher Provision 5.1. As a general guide the following quantities and fire extinguisher types, will be provided at designated fire points within UCL premises: Location: Office / Teaching Seminar Areas: Departmental Tea Points or Staff Kitchens Laboratories Areas Museum Areas Workshops Specialist Areas: Student Halls of Residences: Large Industrial Kitchens: (Refectory or Catered Halls of Residence) Computer / Server Rooms: Plant Rooms: *General Policy Generally, the Types / Quantity of Extinguishers Provided: 1 x 6 litre *Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers; or 1 x 9 Litre Water extinguisher (or Fire Hose Reel) 1 x 2 Kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 1 x Fire Blanket (1.1m 2 ) 1 x 6 litre *Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers; or, 1 x 6 Litre Multi-Purpose (AFFF) Foam x 2 Kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 1 x Fire Blanket (1.1m 2 size) 1 x Specialist Extinguishers: Monnex BC Dry Powder for Alcohol / Solvents / Esters etc.; 9Kg M28 Dry Powder for metal fires involving Sodium, Magnesium & Aluminium 9Kg L2 Dry Powder for metal fires involving Lithium 1 x 6 Litre Alcohol Resisting Foam - ordinary foams are designed to work on non-polar flammable liquids such as petrol, but may break down too quickly in polar liquids such as alcohol or glycol. Where large amounts of flammable polar liquids are used, alcohol resistant foam will be provided 1 x 6 litre *Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers 1 x Fire Blanket - cluster & floor kitchens and studio flats; 1 x 6 litre *Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers 1 x 6 Litre Multi-Purpose Foam & 1 x 2 Kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 1 x Fire Blanket (1.1m 2 ) 1 x 6 Litre Wet Chemical (Class F) for high temp fat frying 1 x 5 Kg CO2 - outside of entrance door for use by staff & fire brigade within the computer suite if required 1 x 2 Kg or 5 Kg CO2 - where significant electrical hazard present 1 x 6 Litre Multi-Purpose Foam - where Class B products present 1 x 6 litre Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers will be introduced to reduce quantity of equipment to maintain (see UCL Tech Note TN027A) - but are suitable for Class A (13 A), Class B (21B), Class F (75F) and Electrical fires (tested to 35,000 volts rating) 5.2. Divergence from British Standard BS5306-8: Para 6.4 - UCL does not provide extinguishers at locations within travel distances recommended at Para 6.4 of BS 5306-8:2012. 5.3. UCL will provide fire equipment on a risk basis at locations so as not to travel more than 30m and to suit Fire Points based around fire alarm manual call Date Last Amended: Jan 17 3.
points with the aim for potential users to travel away from the fire area, to raise the alarm and decide whether to use an extinguisher or leave the premises. 6.0. MOUNTING OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS (BACKBOARD & STANDS) 6.1. All fire extinguishers will generally be mounted on suitable wooden backboards with a standardised size, shape and colour. In some circumstances, a suitably designed fire extinguisher stands will be provided. Backboards and stands identify the fire extinguishers and protecting them from accidental damage, protect the substrates, as well as providing colour identification*. 6.2. Extinguisher backboards will generally be of the following size: Item: Wooden mounting Back Boards: Colour: Details: Length = 600 mm x Width = 200 mm x Depth = 19 mm. Backboards and extinguisher stands shall be *Red in colour - (Colour to conform to BS 5252 - colour 04-E-56 or 04-E-53) 1. 9 litre extinguisher handles to be approximately 1000 mm above the floor; 2. Fire Blankets to be mounted approx. 1500 mm above the floor, ensuring that there is sufficient room to pull out and shake the Fire Blanket open; Positioning: 3. Backboards should be mounted on all walls (including Stud where it can be fixed to the battens / noggins using butterfly screws or similar); 4. Where this fixing cannot be achieved, a freestanding fire extinguisher stand will be provided; 5. The height from the floor to the bottom of backboard is to be to be approx. 250 mm; Externally Mounted Fire Extinguishers: Externally mounted fire extinguishers will be housed in weather proof single or double fire extinguisher cabinets that are wall mounted. Note 1: *Red colour meets The Health & Safety (Safety Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996: Schedule 1, Part 4. Date Last Amended: Jan 17 4.
EXTINGUISHER BACKBOARD SIZE & FITTING INFORMATION Appendix 1 600 mm Extinguisher handles to be mounted approx 1m * above the floor. 200 mm 19 mm At Floor Level: 250* 300*mm from floor to base of backboard *Approximate measurements relevant to the local circumstances End Date Last Amended: Jan 17 5.