Hi Brian,

Small Portable fire extinguishers for vechicles normally have a use by date on them and really should just be used withing the confines of the vechicle. I really wouldn't like to see these being used on site or on jobs where a fire risk has been identifed in the RA.

Normally i would tend to go for the Larger 2kg or bigger Fire Extingusiher that would be large enough to cope and of the correct kind to be able to put the fire out without causing another hazard by being of the wrong sort.

Normally a Powder or CO2 would suffice for most fires.

You can pick these up pretty cheaply https://www.firesafetystore.co.uk/fire-extinguishers/co2-fire-extinguishers/2kg-co2-fire-extinguisher/?gclid=Cj0KEQiA56_FBRDYpqGa2p_e1MgBEiQAVEZ6-0R-RQTAPgseAj4nObgx6tvOedsX-JkS5GJzVhFYqvUaAgnD8P8HAQ

The monthly checks should be documented. Also, the fire extinguisher should be inspected and certified annually by a fire protection equipment company. A complete breakdown and internal inspection must be done every 6 years. Both the annual and 6 year inspections shall be done by a fire protection equipment company.

Hope that helps

Edited by user 21 February 2017 08:37:28(UTC)  | Reason: spelling

I think that Brian might be asking a different question to that which the answers refer to.

He said in his original post;-

"We are in the process of issuing small dry powder portable extinguishers to peripatetic staff. Storage is within a van with a requirement for operative to take extinguisher to site." 

I read this as the operative needing to take an extinguisher on to site [not an extinguisher fixed in the van], so responses about van extinguishers don't answer the question.

[I could be wrong - frequently am]

Recorded visual inspections normally would be monthly and would incorporate things like whether or not the fire extinguisher is covered and clear of obstructions on site. Obviously if the extinguisher is mobile then you wouldn't be able to do this as part of the inspections but I would think a monthly record from the operative as to whether the extinguisher is still charged etc. 

Basic services should be done every 12 years and full extended service evry 5, I would suggest depending on size that replacing them every couple of years may work out cheaper possibly.

Do you have a central yard that all could attend once a year and have an external company come and service them all at the same time? 

From the word Fire Extinguisher, only one thing came into my mind and that is red colored cylnder use to remove fire. Also it can be used to beat the burglars also...Lol

Yea P50F for Foam P50P/PM dry powder. There are also some fire and rescue departments now endorsing these.