Yes they are allowable they just won't have the British standard kite mark

When I was a fire service fire safety inspecting officer, I caused a right old stir by 'allowing' a large posh boutique to paint all of their extinguishers white (to match their hideous interior decor). My colleagues were not impressed (especially the older dinosaurs) and my boss took some considerable persuading. I argued that the shop's FRA had considered the risks and received a written statement from the extinguisher suppliers that although the units were no longer BS EN standard in terms of their colour, they were happy to continue to maintain and certificate them. The shop's FRA even produced evidence (a letter) that the paint used was similar to that used by the manufacturer - albeit is was accepted that the white paint would be applied by hand (and not sprayed as the original). All labels would remain Taking into account that the Emergency Plan was for staff only to use the extinguishers and they would all receive additional training to take into account the non standard paint job, I was happy with their scheme as the firefighting equipment, procedures & maintenance arrangements were all suitable and sufficient - so where's the harm? So it can be done if you can state your rationale in the FRA and have a flexible, forward thinking and particularly handsome local F/S Officer

Bleve Interesting to hear there is case law about this. I have carried out a basic Google search but found nothing about this case. Do you know how I can access any details , or indeed can you provide a brief summary?

So - standards and guidance are relevant and should be used to guide the way through the health and safety minefield. I remember a recent fire risk assessment thread where someone said that the guidance document was only a guide?

Martin VMP were deemed liable due to a deviation from the 1985 british standard applicable to vertical ladders , never mind the fact that the ladder was fabricated and installed many years prior to that standard. The deviation from a national or eu standard has been a principal consideration in the courts for many years and as offered by the opinion of Ray Byrne (Barrister) this is of importance by way of case law in the ROI. As stated IMO in the unlikey event of loss or damage remotely attributable to the deviation from en 3 , then this may be considered by the courts. Chris, A guide is an entirely different thing from a standard, a guide in the context of CLG has no legal standing

Fair enough Bleve, I had not seen the case before and when I looked at it I missed the main point. But in relation to your last post, ther is nothing else in most buildings that are normally the same size and shape as a fire extinguisher. Would be difficult to mistake a fire extinguisher as anything else due to the shape and dimensions. I understand that uniformity is required morally and legally, but would you realistically not know that a fire extinguisher is just that, simply because it is silver rather than red?