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Posted By Kevin Benson
Just had our annual extinguisher inspection.
Ive been told by a very reliable source that the old coloured fire extinguishers cannot be in use any more, as they are out of date. In fact I was told I have to purchase a brand new one in red.
It sounds really dodgy to me , can any one clarify for definate that I dont have to purchase it??
Many thanks
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Kevin
You can continue to use extinguishers to the old BS spec until they are unserviceable. However, any new ones will have to comply with the new standard.
It is good practice not to mix the two colour schemes within the same fire compartment.
Paul
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Posted By Karen Todd
Kevin,
We looked at this for ourselves.
We had CO2 extinguishers due to be discharge tested in accordance with BS5306:Part 3:1985, Section 9.2.
The Standard requires that CO2 extinguishers are tested;
1. After 10 years, 20 years, and every 5 years thereafter.
2. After 20 years where a full service history is available for the life of the extinguisher, and every 5 years thereafter.
Since compliance with BS5306 is a basic requirement of the Fire Certificate, we had two options;
A. Commence an annual programme of testing whereby the testing of CO2 extinguishers is staggered (At the initial test, each of the extinguishers would be re-sprayed red in accordance with the EN3 requirements whereby all new extinguishers are red with colour coded writing indicating the contents.)
B. Install new extinguishers to replace ALL of the existing ones. New extinguishers would not require a discharge test until they are 20 years old - provided a full service history were maintained.
We found that replacement required a much greater initial outlay than refurbishment, but that the ongoing 5 yearly testing of the old extinguishers would soon add up and that it would actually cost us more to keep doing the 5 yearly testing of old extinguishers than to buy and service new extinguishers which wouldn't need this discharge test for 20 years.
Regards,
Karen
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Posted By Kelvin Hughes
Kevin
I believe that extinguishers should be checked thoroughly every year, with a discharge test every five years. A complete overhaul or replacement is required every twenty years. By the time this comes around you may have replaced some of the older types due to changes in legislation etc.
We have split our site up into four zones. One zone gets thoroughly overhauled every 3 months and the other three zones have checks carried out. This way there is not one big bill every year, but four smaller bills every quarter.
All extinguishers are numbered and locations, types and quantities are marked on a site map for the fire service, this also helps us to pinpoint any problem areas of usage.
Regards
Kelvin Hughes
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Posted By Chris Cooper
You may wish to know that BS 5306 part 3 was updated in 2000 to BS 5306-3-2000 and Co2s (covered by BS EN 1802:2002) are now returned for renovation every ten years. as for the colour coding, if they are in good condition they do not have to be replaced. Also British Standards are the best way to comply with the regulations but do remember that BS requirements are not law, for example you can still happily buy brand new stainless steel extinguishers.
regards
C.J.Cooper
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Posted By Chris Cooper
Footnote to my previous posting.
Today I have discovered that BS 5306-3-2000 has just been updated (only with minor changes) and has just been re-issued as
BS 5306-3-2003, this info dropped onto my desk this morning (that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!).
Regards
C.J.Cooper
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