Well-defined fire extinguisher testing periods help ensure that your equipment is in working order. Fire extinguishers provide defence in case of a disaster. They can help you clear your escape route and even prevent structural damage to your premises, if the fire is caught early on. This is why you need to make sure to inspect your fire safety equipment on a regular basis. A competent person should also perform annual testing, according to British Standard 5306 Part 3. Here, we will look at the recommended fire extinguisher testing periods and what the testing entails.
Common Classification
There are several different classes of fires based on the severity and the materials involved. Here are the six common classes of fire:
- Class A fire – fires involving common flammable materials, such as wood, paper, cardboard, textile and plastics,
- Class B fire – where flammable liquids, such as petrol, oil, paraffin and diesel, are set ablaze;
- Class C fire – where flammable gases, such as propane or methane, catch fire;
- Class D fire – fires involving flammable metals, such as lithium, magnesium or aluminium;
- Electrical fires – where electrical equipment, such as fuse boxes or computers, catch fire;
- Class F fires – where flammable cooking materials, such as grease or vegetable cooking oils, have been set alight.
Fire extinguishers have these letters on them to denote what kind of a fire they are able to put out.
The Different Types Of Fire Extinguisher
There are different fire extinguisher types for different types of fire. Every type of fire extinguisher can put out two or more types of fire.
ABC Powder
These are all-around extinguishers that can put out all classes of fire except for class F. This is the only type of fire extinguisher that can deal with flammable gasses, class C, in an effective manner. ABC powder extinguishers are great for areas that are in risk of several different classes of fire.
Dry Powder
These are special fire extinguishers based on copper, graphite and sodium chloride powders. They can put out flammable metal fires. A long handle and a slow and steady jet allow the powder to cover the fire in a gentle manner. The powder and metals must not come into contact with water. You should not try to extinguish electrical fires using dry powder extinguishers.
AFF Foam
These extinguishers are a great basic choice. AFF Foam extinguishers are only effective against A and B class fires. The foam helps prevent solid materials and liquids from reigniting once you put them out.
Carbon Dioxide
Fire extinguishers of this type are great at putting out class B fires and electrical fires. They use CO2 gas, so they don’t leave a mess after use.
Water
This is the most basic type of fire extinguisher and can only extinguish type A fires. You should never use water extinguishers for electrical fires since if you do, you risk getting electrocuted. They are excellent against common flammable materials and don’t make a big mess.
Wet Chemical
This type of extinguisher can put out type A and type F fires. These extinguishers are exceptional at dealing with cooking oil or grease fires. They are best for kitchen areas, but can leave a bit of a mess.
Water Mist
This type of fire extinguisher is somewhat new. They use water mist to put out all classes of fire. The fine water particles cool down and suffocate a fire, leaving no residue. They are an excellent choice for areas where there are several different fire risks.
Monthly Inspections By The Owner
A responsible person, e.g. the owner of the premises or someone they appoint, needs to make monthly inspections. When you perform the inspection, you need to watch out for several things:
- The extinguisher is in the right place
- There are no physical obstructions preventing easy access
- Operating instructions on the extinguisher are clean, clear and facing potential users
- The extinguishers are new, full and are not damaged
- The pressure is at recommended levels
- The seals or indicators are in place and intact
If anything is out of order, you should take the right measures. Write down your findings in a fire log book after each inspection.
Annual Inspections By A Competent Person
A competent person, or trained official, should come once a year to inspect all your fire extinguishers. This person will make suggestions on further maintenance if there is a need for it.
Fire Extinguisher Commissioning And Installation
When you order fire extinguishers online, there is a possibility of it getting damaged or losing pressure during transport. This is why it is important to have all new fire extinguishers commissioned upon receiving them. Commissioning means that you hire a competent person to inspect the extinguishers. If everything is in order, you will be able to install the extinguishers. You have to mount fire extinguishers on walls, about 1m-1.5m off the ground. If this isn’t possible, you will need a fire extinguisher stand or plinth.
Extended Service Testing
After several years of use, even with annual inspections, you will need to pressure and discharge test all your fire extinguishers. You need to do these tests every 5 years for water, powder and foam extinguishers, and every 10 years for CO2. A competent person will perform a hydrostatic test to see if the cylinder is safe to use. The extinguisher can also be discharged to see if it operates the way it should.
Water and foam extinguishers are easy to refill after tests on site, but other types have to be taken to a testing facility. If this is the case, the professional doing the test will replace them with tested extinguishers. It can be cheaper to buy new extinguishers than to refill the old ones after a test. After a few fire extinguisher test periods with regular tests, you may need to replace them anyway due to rust or damage.