Every type of business premises must have a minimum number of fire extinguishers. There are also strict fire extinguisher installation requirements. You must have the relevant type of fire extinguishers (dependent upon your business) and they must be stored in strategic, convenient locations.
So where should you put your fire extinguisher mounting bracket (or brackets)? As a general rule, they should be on the escape routes of each floor of the premises – the pre-designated fire points. They’ve got to be visible and accessible; placing your fire extinguisher inside a cupboard is only going to waste precious time in the case of an emergency, even if you have the correct fire extinguisher sign on the cupboard door.
Here are a few guidelines about fire extinguisher installation requirements:
- Install fire extinguishers at an elevated height with the carrying handle around 1 metre from the floor for larger, heavier extinguishers and 1.5 metres from the floor on smaller, lighter units.
- Don’t place your fire extinguisher in locations where there are extreme temperatures.
- Extinguishers should be pretty close to an escape door, preferably in a shallow recess where they won’t get knocked.
- The relevant extinguisher should be handy for any specific type of fire risk but not too close so that it can’t be reached if a fire breaks out.
- Make sure that all extinguishers are labelled for the type of fire they are suitable for.
- Staff should be trained in the use of the fire extinguishers installed. Try to make sure that any different types of extinguisher you have can be operated in a similar way.
Suitable Location For Different Types of Fire Extinguisher
- Class A extinguishers should be within 30 metres of a fire risk area
- Class B extinguishers must be within 10 metres of an area of fire risk
- Class C can be installed around 30 metres from the risk
- Class D fire extinguishers need special attention – seek professional advice about this one
- Class F fire extinguishers ought to be around 10 metres from the high risk area
So there you have it. It is your responsibility to ensure that your business premises have enough fire extinguishers of the correct type located within the necessary distance from fire risk areas. It is important too that all members of staff are aware of the location of these extinguishers and how to use them.
Follow these basic fire extinguisher installation requirements and you won’t go far wrong.