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shauncampbell  
#1 Posted : 16 July 2014 16:25:45(UTC)
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shauncampbell

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
fscott  
#2 Posted : 16 July 2014 16:40:56(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
fscott

As far as I'm aware, and I am prepared to be corrected, it all comes down to risk assessment taking into account the type of fires as well as the environment in which it could take place. Rather than a blanket dry powder fits all scenarios that a lot of places adopted, you should consider other types of extinguishers particularly in small spaces due to risk of asphyxiation. You should also consider the fact that after a fire in which a dry powder extinguisher has been used their can be increased clean up costs as it gets everywhere. The business I work in is welding and with the presence of industrial gases, the only only option for us in most areas is dry powder extinguishers and as we carry gas cylinders on our vehicles we are required to have at least a 2kg dry powder extinguisher on board.
simplesafety  
#3 Posted : 16 July 2014 16:56:33(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
simplesafety

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
Jane Blunt  
#4 Posted : 16 July 2014 17:01:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

Actually, carbon dioxide is toxic, and when the concentration reaches about 8%, it can kill.
jay  
#5 Posted : 16 July 2014 17:03:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jay

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.
jay  
#6 Posted : 16 July 2014 17:12:04(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jay

This is not a change as BS 5306-8:2000 also states:- 5.5 Gaseous extinguishing agents Three groups of gaseous extinguishing agents may be used in portable extinguishers. The first is the halons, the use of which has been greatly restricted by the ratification of the Montreal Protocol. The second is carbon dioxide and the third group consists of more complex mixtures of non-halogen gases. All of these gups are classified as clean agents. All three groups and possibly decomposition products are likely to be hazardous to persons in enclosed spaces with restricted ventilation. Such extinguishers cause little hazard when used in the open air, large rooms and other well ventilated places inside buildings.
firesafety101  
#7 Posted : 17 July 2014 00:28:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

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.
hilary  
#8 Posted : 17 July 2014 09:30:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
hilary

My fire extinguisher organisation was in just yesterday servicing our extinguishers. We have several blue powder extinguishers because we machine metal to fine tolerances and there is a danger of metal fire. He did not say a word to me about any changes to these. I suspect your supplier might be extending the truth somewhat .....
alistair  
#9 Posted : 17 July 2014 10:06:08(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
alistair

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.
mssy  
#10 Posted : 17 July 2014 12:55:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
mssy

Alistair wrote:
I think the original post was referring to the new guidance on Powder extinguishers ...........
And that is the answer to this post - it's guidance for the Resp Person to aid him in maintaining his risk assessment - and not a requirement to be imposed by the (greedy) supplier. Even if the RP applies the guidance (and why not as its entirely sensible), it can be done in a value for money way as extinguishers need replacing. We use a range of DP extinguishers in plant rooms, cars and some specialist Pyromet class D extinguishers in workshops. All have been positioned as the result of a RA, and none are positioned in escape routes or where large numbers of people may gather
boblewis  
#11 Posted : 17 July 2014 13:19:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

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.
firesafety101  
#12 Posted : 17 July 2014 13:52:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

DP extinguishers used to be common in fish and chip shops as they were thought to be excellent at knocking down a fire in a deep frying range, that is true, however as Bob mentions caused lots of mess in the range and ducting. I know of one Chinese chippy owner who when his frying range caught fire simply removed a DP extinguisher from its bracket and then threw the whole thing at the fire then exited the shop very quickly indeed.
shauncampbell  
#13 Posted : 17 July 2014 14:49:11(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
shauncampbell

Thank you all for your replies.
chris42  
#14 Posted : 17 July 2014 15:14:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris42

boblewis wrote:
a good home cure laxative The mess afterwards certainly was an issue and could be expensive to clean equipment and ducts after use.
Is it Friday yet ? Oh for a full stop I know, little things please little minds :o) Chris
boblewis  
#15 Posted : 17 July 2014 18:45:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

Chris42 Well spotted, or is that a pun?:-) Fraid my eyes are not as sharp as they were Bob
Monitor  
#16 Posted : 18 July 2014 09:40:07(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Monitor

I presume that in many countries, it's the civil defence function of government that drafts extinguisher specifications. Indeed, being the sad person that I am I can't help but notice that in most countries, powder is the only game in town. By application of logic, if the average country were to adopt BS5306-8 then the sales of extinguishers would double! One powder out - two red cylinders in - one filled with something watery and another gassy, at each fire point. I'm convinced that commercial interests have actually drafted this BS. If you go onto YouTube, search for "skum pulver test": you should get a Norwegian video comparing foam (skum) with powder (pulver) against realistic test fires. You might find the results alarming! Is the object of BS5306-8 one of extinguishing fires, or is it really to protect commercial interests? Plenty of techno-froth in the BS to keep the anoraks busy whilst concealing the low performance of watery substances! Just a thought!
firesafety101  
#17 Posted : 18 July 2014 13:03:32(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

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?
mssy  
#18 Posted : 18 July 2014 17:41:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
mssy

FireSafety101 wrote:
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?
FS101: The policy you refer to is indeed national. https://www.gov.uk/gover...7643/incidentcommand.pdf Its a big document, but on page 66 the simple definition of this modern approach is given as: In a highly calculated way, firefighters: > will take some risk to save saveable lives. > may take some risk to save saveable property. > will not take any risk at all to try to save lives or properties that are already lost
firesafety101  
#19 Posted : 18 July 2014 22:22:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

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.
Hedgehog  
#20 Posted : 22 July 2014 16:23:48(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Hedgehog

A senior fire officer once said to me when discussing the use of fire extinguishers 'why should I have to put firefighters at risk when a small fire could have been extinguished has been left to burn' While the data is old the article in the FIA journal may be of interest showing the percentage of fires extinguished by a fire extinguisher. www.fia.uk.com/objects_s...e/fia_focus_issue_15.pdf I would agree that a powder extinguisher will cause some damage as will the fire but if it extinguishes a fire the damage will be far less than the water damage that will occur following fire brigade intervention. Also I suppose it depends if you want a workplace to go back to. Remember for SMEs in particular many never recover from a major fire. For larger organisations having had to relocate the processes to another part of the company many find that it has improved productivity and the fire damaged factory will not rise from the ashes.
A Kurdziel  
#21 Posted : 22 July 2014 16:43:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

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
Roger-G  
#22 Posted : 25 February 2016 20:18:57(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Roger-G

Only two years after the debate finished but... My engineers went on the latest course and were advised of the need to replace powder ext for indoor use. Our policy has been to advise the customer of the change but only change to an alternative when the extinguisher's life was ended ... or sooner if the customer respected the advice. No pressure from us to replace, merely to advise! Roger for PD Fire and Safety
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