Posted By Martin Taylor
If I look at the BS on fire extinguisher deployment and apply to my warehouse environment I find that there are far more extinguishers than I feel are necessary applying the principle of "common sense".

There are very few fire risks in the warehouse (trucks excepted and we plan on board extinguisher systems on these). There are very few people in the warehouse to deal with a fire should it start and the warehouse is fully sprinklered.

What is the general view of extinguisher deployment?

1) Follow the BS to the letter
2) work to a common sense
3) some other rules

thanks

Martin

Posted By Phillip
Your emergencey procedure instructs your staff on discovering a fire to raise the alarm.

Trucks aside, you don't want portable extinguishers anywhere other than a manual call point.

Operate a policy of if you can't put a fire out with one portable extinguisher - get out.

Is the above common sense?

What would be the reduction in extinguishers if you adopted the above approach.

Posted By Ian_P
You've not been attacked by a well-known provider of fire extinguishers and keys have you Martin?!

Some of these company's do go well over the top. This is nothing to do with their sales reps - sorry I meant to say engineers - being on commission. (!)

I would always advise getting a firm to look after the maintenance and supply of your extinguishers who don't award commisions to reps - sorry engineers - based on extinguisher units sold.

Rant over.

Posted By Ian_P
Is a 200m x 200m warehouse not 200m squared...?

Posted By Steve Cartwright
Martin

The theory I quoted you is what local fire authorities use and it is they who enforce the law on fire safety.

Have a word with your local fire authority and explain your situation to them. They might be able to help. Also speak to your insurance company.

Do not rely on COMMON SENSE. Common sense is a myth it is not very common especially in the event of a fire where employees will be more worried about their belongings than trying to get out to a place of safety.

Steve

Posted By dale watts
good day, my name is dale watts, i run my own fire extinguishers coampny, i have stumbled upon this site and seen a few threads that i have put information on, think i can help you here as well. below is a exact extract from my service manual that we use as guidelines for installing equipment. you will need some sort of cover for fire involving electrics. Also do you stoe any flammable liquids?

EXTINGUISHER COVER
CLASS 'A' FIRE PROVISION: The basic scale of provision for Class A
extinguishers is that, on each storey, there should be at least 2
extinguishers. The total Class A rating should be not less than
0.065 X floor area (in square metres) and not less than 26A. This
minimum requirement corresponds to a floor area of 400 square
metres. However, in the case of buildings in single occupancy with
upper floor area not exceeding 100 square metres the minimum
aggregate rating required for these floors is 13A, and there need
not be 2 extinguishers per floor on the upper floors.

Example

30m x 20m = 600 square metres
x 0.065

39 class A rating

In the above example the following options are available:-
2 X 21A rated extinguishers
3 X 13A rated extinguishers
5 X 8A rated extinguishers

fire ratings are shown on the extinguisher. hope i helped you out. You only have to cover what is actually there. With A sprinkler system, some places, one i know of being a school have not installedany extinguishers as under there risk assessment have said they do not need them. This has caused problems though. As insurance companies do insist on poratble extinguishers to be sited and maintained. If you require info on class 'B' fire then contact me on extdoctor@hotmail.co.uk. Free advice is no problem

Posted By Keith Rose
However; Remember that over subscription of fire safety provisions may give you a lower risk rating if audited by local authority, and though a FRA is prudent; don't risk assess your way out of compliance and responsibility!