A recent visit by our fire extinguisher service contractor has said that the British Standard (BS) has changed and that all our powder extinguishers are to be removed and now replaced with CO2 or Foam, does anyone have a copy of the changes to the BS. The reason is for asphyxiation when the powder is released if in a smaller room etc. he said the powder extinguisher should be let off from the door way therefore you are not in the room breathing in the powder? Does this mean we are no longer allowed a powder extinguisher in the cab of our vehicles as well? Thanks Shaun

Shaun He'll be refereing to British Standard 5306 Section 8 published in Nov 2012 (relating to the selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers) Here's an extract: (C02) extinguishers should not be installed in enclosed spaces with restricted ventilation, but cause little risk when used in the open air, large rooms or other well ventilated spaces inside buildings. As the above shows, asphyxiation is also a risk from C02. At the end of the day they will be trying to make a sale! Fscott has the right idea - look at your fire risk assessment and decide what type you need. Dont get bullied into replacing all your extinguishers if its not required. Im sure INDICATOR tips and advice did an article on this - worth a google

This is strange advice, i.e a dry powder ABC extinguisher may cause asphyxiation, but OK to use CO2 gas! I would ask him to quote the particular standard and clause because as far as I am aware, there is no such change in the standard, except that in any case, one would undertake a risk assessment for dealing with such a scenario when ventilation /room size was to be tyaken into account.

I would be very reluctant to recommend Power extinguishers being used inside premises. They are great for vehicle fires and there are powders for metal fires but as I say not for inside premises if avoidable.

I think the original post was referring to the new guidance on Powder extinguishers which is as follows - The discharge of a powder extinguisher within buildings can cause a sudden reduction of visibility and can also impair breathing, which could temporarily jeopardize escape, rescue or other emergency action. For this reason, powder extinguishers should generally not be specified for use indoors, unless mitigated by a health and safety risk assessment. Our supplier had previously advised dry powder in a number of very small rooms e.g. student kitchens in boarding houses but we have removed them. We still have them in workshops where there are flammable liquids, etc. So it is still about risk assessment.

Dry powder extiguishers have certainly been widely over specified in unsuitable situations for their use but asphyxiation was never one of the issues with its use. As a hazard to health one has to remember that the powder is essentially sodium bicarbonate, a good home cure laxative The mess afterwards certainly was an issue and could be expensive to clean equipment and ducts after use.

Thank you all for your replies.

Chris42 Well spotted, or is that a pun?:-) Fraid my eyes are not as sharp as they were Bob

The objective is to extinguish the fire in the first place, otherwise the fire develops into a larger fire that requires the attendance of fire and rescue service who will come along and apply copious quantities of water to both the fire and the surrounding internal areas of the premises. By using powder, if it is the correct media and it successfully extinguishes the fire and makes a mess then clean it up or use your insurance company to get it cleaned up that's what we pay them for isn't it? These days fire and rescue services are intent on risk assessing their tasks and tend to stay out and fight fires from the outside, they do not take risks by entering smoke filled premises that contain fires, unless there are persons reported trapped. I know this to be true in my fire authority area so it may be the same elsewhere, dispute it if you can provide evidence? They may decide to pour water where the smoke is thinking that will do the trick but that will only increase the damage, more damage from firefighting than the original fire? Result, workplace closed and loss of business, possible redundancies and bankruptcy. Oh my what a dark negative response to what should be a simple thread?

Many thanks mssy. Workplaces and employers need to decide their policy, is it to get everyone out, in which case the type of extinguisher is not relevant, or it it to attack the fire in the first instance while evacuation takes place, then to get everyone out? If the second one then type, size, siting, training staff to use, etc. etc. are extremely important and if the correct type are installed there is a decent chance of saving the premises before the fire service arrive and get everyone out and let the premises burn. Is it still Friday or does it matter what day it is when the frs have such a policy? Have a good weekend all.

Reading this thread has set me thinking and I think one issue is that modern people have only limited experience of ‘Fire’. When I was a kid we had real fires in the house and my dad was forever burning stuff in the garden. So I got use to fires and what they could do. Many people nowadays hardly ever come across a fire apart from the occasional barbecue or on bonfire night. Their reactions seem to be either fear or a very blasé attitude (hence all those stories about people adding petrol to get the fire going). For people to use extinguishers they need more than just a pep talk, they need thorough training that will give them the confidence to tackle a fire and the knowledge of when to give up and get out. The piece from the FIA was interesting, but remember they’re in the business of selling fire extinguishers