Hello all Is it really time to change a large number of my fire extinguishers? This topic was touched on in a recent discussion: "Is someone pulling my fire extinguisher" where it is noted that powder extinguishers are no longer recommended for indoor use. We have a fire risk assessment and in a number of places we have agreed with the building's original outfitter, that dry powder makes the best compromise: where we have limited space and electrical, solid fuel sources are risks (Saying limited space does not imply confined or enclosed space). Our Fire Extinguisher service company reckons we are now no longer compliant with BS5306 Part 8 - and expects us to abandon the powder extinguishers (which belong to them) and take out a contact on new ones (H2O and CO2) at considerable extra cost. I find this difficult as the same company still sells and offers to maintain dry powder, stating........ "dry powder fire extinguishers are a highly versatile Class A, B & C fire-fighting medium suitable for most risks. In addition to dealing with electrical hazards, flammable liquids and gases, powder is also effective for vehicle fires." My opinion is that our Fire Risk Assessment remains suitable and that dry powder is still a good (and legal) option, and I'm suffering from hard sell. Anybody having similar hard sells

We have received comments too and they are dealt with in the appropriate fashion. If your H&S Risk Assessment shows there is minimal risk in terms of H&S then you can still have powder extinguishers indoors. I believe BS5306:2012 covers this. We have them in some parts of our buildings and unless the RA shows otherwise we will probably keep them until they come to the end of their useful life. At that point we will then reconsider their use.

Hard sell and some pretty dubious practices have been widespread in this particular sector for some years. If your assessment is for x,y or z then arguably that's your choice. The one thing I would say is that if you have ever discharged dry powder indoors you'll know what a monster mess it can make. Depending on the environment you're operating in you might find another media preferable. That's no excuse for the hard sell though.

Anyone who is offering supposedly independent advice on life and property safety equipment and ends the advice with 'oh, and by the way, if you pay us hundreds of pounds I can solve the problem' - is trying to just make money out of you. Take advice from another source, even if you have to pay a few quid, ensuring that they know it is for advice only and that you will not be purchasing any extinguishers from them. That might get advice based on need rather than a sales pitch. And if something nasty happens and you have to justify why the powder extinguishers were retained, you not only have the Standard to fall back on, you also have a record of external advice from an industry organisation. The worst I have seen involving use of a powder extinguisher is when a fire started in a deep fat fryer in a KFC. Rather than use the heavy duty fire blanket(automatic overhead fire suppression system had never been serviced and failed to work) some eejit used a powder extinguisher. Put the fire out but they had to close the branch for days as the food prep and cooking equipment was all clogged up with powder - cue loss of business and strong action from the fire brigade. I suppose I should not have called the staff member an eejit as the action taken put the fire out, but he lost his job as a result - the joy of burger flipping workplaces.