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Posted By geecee
Come across premises I have to audit which has chrome extinguishers throughout. These were tested and maintained but never seen them in any of my training courses or colour code signs.
Premises were of the highest order but I NEED SOME GUIDANCE ON COMPLIANCE from a colour point of view. Have seen them before in premises but that was some time ago.
Regards,
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Posted By Richard Webber
Geecee,
As long as the extinguishers are in good order they can be used until the end of their life.
But when they are replaced the 'all red' type must be used in accordance with the EU requirements.
Richard
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Posted By Gff
Why can you still buy the SS ones then?
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Posted By Terry Smyth
My understanding is that the chrome type extinguishers were used in the catering industry or food production premises to avoid paint being chipped from them and entering the food products, the labelling should reflect the contents and suitability proportional to the fire risks that may be present.
Regards
Terry
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Posted By geecee
Thanks for the comments so far.
My concern was similar to Gff in that they area apparently still available to purchase yet seem to be overlooked when we order colour code notices or arrange extinguisher training for staff!
Regards.
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Posted By Ron Hunter
I understood that the EU (via harmonised standards) only require a coloured panel (black, red, cream etc.) to denote extinguisher type, and that member states (i.e. the UK!) couldn't agree on a solid body colour. UK wanted red (which it got by normative derogation).
Would prohibition of supply of chrome units in UK not be contrary to free movement of goods agreements?
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Posted By shaun mckeever
There is nothing wrong with chrome extinguishers. They are usually manufactured by the same people who manufacture the red ones. There is no requirement to have red extinguishers but the chrome extinguishers will not have the BS Kitemark / Euro standard marking as they do not comply with the published standards because of their colour. They comply in every other way. They are used because they look nicer than the red ones.
Go ahead and use them.
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Posted By Tabs
It is not against the law to use these. Usually used in receptions of smartly decorated places, they are Chromium purely for appearance.
My understanding was that they only have to be red if manufactured in Europe, but I may be wrong on that - but they are legal.
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Posted By geecee
Excellent reponse from all IOSH safety gurus - and greatest respect from this most ignorant of all chartered persons.
However, I am stll a bit perplexed why chrome or 'other colour options' do not appear on the hundreds and thousands of extinguisher colour code signs (Know your extinguisher etc.) that firms buy in good faith from local safety suppiers - and for good money!
Seems a righht old waste of time if we can then go to Tasmania and come back with an extinguisher the colour of the devil himself.
Regards.
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Posted By shaun mckeever
geecee you have sort of answered your own question. Sign manufacturers can really only produce signs in the standard colours recommended in British/European Standards. You cannot reasonably expect them to produce signs in other differernt colours/designs. Who knows - the extinguishers you buy from Tasmania may well have little whirlwind devils painted all over them whilst ones bought from china might have little rickshaws painted all over them. Where does the sign manufacturer draw the line?
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Posted By Peter Leese
Hi Shaun, where can I get the ones with rickshaws - sound great!
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Posted By Ron Hunter
If I may correct my previous post. EN1866:2005 states that the colour of the extinguisher body shall be red. All member states are required to apply this, however they are permitted to apply a colour coded panel (indicating the Country's previous colour codings) covering not more than 5% of the body of the appliance.
It follows then that a chrome extinguisher does not meet EN1866:2005, therefore its capacity and discharge rate may also vary, i.e. how do you know what you've got, and how do you convince the enforcing authority?
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Posted By geecee
Thanks for that Ron - starting to address my niggling concerns now.
Basically most of us were convinthat red extinguishers are now the norm - except for those already in position and waiting for their final twenty year test or whatever.
Seems some people are still supl;lying the chrome ones as I have asked a few colleagues what they know and as you point out so eloquently- there is no way of complying with standards if you import from outside of the EU.
Big question now is do we condemn these pefectly nice looking extinguishers or just try and ensure that I clarify the rules for as manfolk as possible - even the jokers!
Regards and thanks for your effort.
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Posted By Glyn Atkinson
Do some of the major stores still use chrome extinguishers so that their decor is not spoilt by those "nasty red extinguishers"??
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Posted By shaun mckeever
There is no requirement to provide the 'nasty red extinguishers', there is a recommendation and like all other fire related British Standards if you can show equivalency by providing a suitable alternative then that is acceptable. You will not have any problem convincing enforcing authorities, your supplier can provide all the evidence they need.
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Posted By shaun mckeever
By the way Peter can't get hold of the ones with rickshaws on but I'm off to Abu Dhabi next week if you want any with the camels on!
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Posted By Peter Leese
Shaun, I worked out there for four years, but that was before the change of colours of extinguishers - you know, the uncomplicated days of cream, red, black, green...
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Posted By Ashley Wood
Keep using the chrome ones until they come to the end of their life. A lot of the chrome ones that you see for sale will have either a label with red writing on it, a red band and red writing on it but always with the EU descriptive label i.e class of fire to use it on and details of what it is etc. I have recently seen 'Gold plated', seriously, at an embassy in London! Chrome or stainless steel are used predominantly in areas where they would look pretty! They cost a lot more than the Red ones.
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Posted By geecee
Thanks everyone. It seems most of us are happy to use the chrome extinguishers and some of us are happy to buy chrome extinguishers as they really are - you guessed it - extinguishers!
Still leaves a nasty taste in the mouth when I think of the hundreds of times I have went through extinguisher colour coding with clients. I will noe have to ask - have you any other colours you want me to mention?
Usual can of worms springs to mind but reasonably happy with outcome. Though I need to find out where Ashley gets his clients - gold-plated indeed!!!
Now theres a problem ... does it spark? Is it too heavy? Is it disguised in a fire?
Regards
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