Rank: Forum user 
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I am sure this has been explored before but here goes.
I work in the education sector and have inherited a situation where I believe we have more fire extinguishers per square metre than anyone else in the world! Our estate covers over 50 separate buildings.
As an example, using the BS guidelines just for foam class A extinguishers, we have at least twice as many as is required i.e. floor area x .065 divided by the extinguisher rating. In one low risk building the calculation results in 1 foam extinguisher being required (which can be reached by within 20m from the furthest point in the room), but we have 3 - one at each exit door.
My predecessor did the fire RAs but I also have a feeling that the fire extinguisher supplier (who also do the annual checks) has had their input.
Any views would be appreciated.
PS - while I am on the subject, has anyone looked into the new extinguishers (P50) which do not need an annual service by an engineer?
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Rank: Forum user 
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Problem with 'calculations' is they give prescriptive measures.
They don't take into account actual circumstances.
Such as fire loading, number of exits, travel distances etc.
Personally I would expect an extinguisher at each exit point if it's a large area, otherwise 1 or 2 at strategic points may be more useful?
Such as centrally along an exit route?
I would NEVER take what an extinguisher supplier recommends as the basis for provision. In my experience it tends to be over the top and sometimes completely inappropriate.
Service free extinguishers?
Stupidest idea I have ever seen.
I pay less than £10 per annual service... new P50 costs £120 for ten years.
Whats the point?
At present It won't save me any money and every year I know my extinguishers have been serviced and checked.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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looking at the risk rather than the 'calculations'.
What is the nature of the occupancy? Are these mature students? how many students?
Would you rather pass 12 adults to get to an extinghuisher or 30 seven year olds?
Is the ditribution the same throughout the campus or have the science labs got a higher count?
My personal point of view is that the risk level is not low. You have what I would describe as at least a medium risk occupancy and at least a medium risk fire loading (I can't comment on the size and complexity of the building).
What has spurred you into considereing if you have too many fire extinguishers?
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for your comments. We do take into account occupancy, activities, etc and there is a huge variation across the estate, with some areas being a much higher risk than others. The example I used is our new 6th form social club = 150 m2 and has 6 extinguishers (I think 2 would suffice). We also have category L fire alarm systems installed.
In another building, on the first floor which has 4 maths classrooms and a staff room there are 8 extinguishers (4 foam and 4 Co2), all within a few metres walking distance of each other.
Safety Smurf -The main reason for looking at this issue is because I am soon to be taking on full responsibility for fire safety in the near future and, as with alll my work, I like to apply a proportionate approach.
Thanks again.
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Rank: Super forum user
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alistair wrote:We also have category L fire alarm systems installed. L what? 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5?
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Rank: Forum user
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All our boarding houses are L1 as are the majority of educational and office buildings.
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks Ivor.
It was after reading the DCLG guides and the BS guidelines that I started to question the huge number of extinguishers we have in place.
Thanks to all 'forumees' for responding.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Alistair
Just to add in my two pennorth too....personally I would be surprised to see an extinguisher at a final exit, although our previous fire extinguisher company certainly advised us to put them there. I took advice from the fire brigade (just as a double check) and we constantly review our FRA's to make sure that the extinguishers are in a suitable place in sufficient number...like you we have rather a lot of buildings (well over 100 at the last count) so it's a never ending job!
Good luck
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