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lindagoodchild  
#1 Posted : 25 June 2018 08:47:48(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
lindagoodchild

Hi Everyone,

So I have a client who is a small business.  They are a gymnastics club primarily teaching children based in a multi-tenanted building and occupy an open plan unit of approx 159m2 on the first floor.  

I have been working with them and have advised that they need to have another fire extinguisher so they have two with a combined rating of at least 26A as they currently only have one 13A.  I have based this on the fact that they are over 100m2 and based on the first floor of a multi-tenanted building.

I have had some pushback saying they only require one and have been shown a report advising only one...but I'm convinced I'm right in my thinking and not going OTT.

What are your thoughts please? 

Kind regards

Linda

trapale  
#2 Posted : 25 June 2018 11:41:46(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
trapale

Surely you would need at least two fire extinguishers as you don't mention what they do have .My thinking is one water for paper/textile fires and one Co2 for electrical /flammable liquids.
stonecold  
#3 Posted : 25 June 2018 11:51:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stonecold

Current HM Gov fire safety risk assessment guidance - 

Number and type of extinguishers Typically for the Class A fire risk, the provision of one water-based extinguisher for approximately every 200m2 of floor space, with a minimum of two extinguishers per floor, will normally be adequate.

Where it is determined that there are additionally other classes of fire risk, the appropriate type, number and size of extinguisher should be provided. Further information is available in BS 5306-8

Obviously the exact specifics will be dependant on the findings of your fire risk assessment

Edited by user 25 June 2018 11:53:54(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

toe  
#4 Posted : 28 June 2018 00:32:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
toe

I am not sure I understand your thinking about the combined rating. The combined rating will only increase if it is the same extinguishing medium, i.e. two foam extinguishers. I would have some issued with this thinking, in that, if a person has used up one fire extinguisher and the fire is still alight, they must not go and get another extinguisher and continue to fight the fire. If it can’t be extinguished with one extinguisher the fire is (was) too big – so… get out and stay out. Therefore, there is no benefit to have another extinguisher to increase the combined fire rating.

I do however, think that an alternative type of extinguisher may be useful, i.e. a CO2 and Foam or Water.

stonecold. Useful information, however, it doesn’t state the size of the extinguisher.

thanks 1 user thanked toe for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 28/06/2018(UTC)
MarkAAT  
#5 Posted : 03 July 2018 07:51:37(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
MarkAAT

Originally Posted by: stonecold Go to Quoted Post

Current HM Gov fire safety risk assessment guidance - 

Number and type of extinguishers Typically for the Class A fire risk, the provision of one water-based extinguisher for approximately every 200m2 of floor space, with a minimum of two extinguishers per floor, will normally be adequate.

Where it is determined that there are additionally other classes of fire risk, the appropriate type, number and size of extinguisher should be provided. Further information is available in BS 5306-8

Obviously the exact specifics will be dependant on the findings of your fire risk assessment

Not really that difficult to interpret.

MINIMUM one 13a water based extinguisher for every 200m2 of floor space, MINIMUM 2 extinguishers per floor. So you could have two water based 13a extinguishers, or a 13a and a 75F if the risk assessment deemed it. You need two. One of which has to be 13a water based.

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