Posted By Terry Reading Martin If you must provide one then the obvious choice for a vehicle is a multi-purpose dry powder. It's suitable for most circumstances. However, bear in mind that it makes a hell of a mess in a building. You should give advice to your employees that ensures they know when to walk away. Better a burnt out, insured vehicle than a dead or badly burnt employee. There is a strong argument for a risk assessment showing that actually not supplying an extinguisher, so persons do not risk injury trying to be a hero, would actually result in a lower risk. T

Posted By Martin Thomas Callaghan Terry, Thanks for your info on fire, it’s been very helpful, as this is my first health and safety job after gaining my nebosh certificate and only being 20 years old I did not want to go to my employer with out getting some information behind me from on the iosh site and obviously the experienced people on the site. Thanks again Martin

Posted By Kenny McGillivray Hi Martin Are you assessing the risk of the van catching fire or is it the work the operatives are doing on small domestics. The previous advice on the van will keep you right. As for work on small domestics it will depend on what type of work is being done. hot work will require the operatives to take precautions to prevent materials catching fire when working on a particular task. The precautions will include keeping an extinguisher close at hand. As previously advised dry powder would be a good all round choice but will make a mess. make sure the operatives take the extinguisher into the premises with them. No point running down the drive to the van and all the way back when dealing with old fashioned hairy felt that has caught fire when the plumber has been soldering a joint. I once worked on a victorian villa which burned to the ground because we had no extinguishers and the loft caught fire during plumbing work. Insurers were not happy!! regards Kenny