Posted By David J Jones
Hi Claire,

Small office, "standard" extinguishers, I would suggest 2Kg CO2 and 9 litre water/AFFF type.

However, as always and under the "new" fire regs, what you decide is required depends on your fire risk assessment, but whatever you choose must be inspected monthly (in their proper place, not damaged, discharged etc) and additionally serviced/maintained annually by a competent person (contractor).

As for use of them, although the regs do not specify specific training for them it does require "suitable and sufficient instruction and training on the appropriate precautions and actions to be taken by employees".

Perhaps not as short as you were expecting but you may like to think about contacting your local fire bigade auditing/enforcing officer for their advice.

Regards

David

Posted By Crim
Hi Claire,

You ask a very good question as it appears we all accept that a standard size for a water extinguisher is 9 litre. This used to be 2 gallon when I was a lad?

The guide to risk assessment in offices and shops mentions appropriate type, number and size of extinguishers but does not go much further apart from also mentioning BS 5306-8 which is a priced publication.

My advice would be to consider the risk assessments type and size of fire and also the persons expected to handle extinguishers. Strong men and women should be able to lift and use a 9 litre water or foam extinguisher but smaller people may not, therefore the smaller size (approx 4.5 litre) should be provided. However if we say that if a fire is too big for one extinguisher the fire should be left to the fire brigade - what size is that extinguisher? Is it still 9 litre or do we change our standard a make it 2 x 4.5 litre and then get out?

Without being seen to knock Halfords or similar they tend to sell small extinguishers designed for car fires?

I suggest you look at the BS 5306-8 and then let us all know what you find.

Happy new year.

Posted By alan brotherton
Regarding what may be regarded as "normal" or
"a requirement" - I agree with previous comments in the thread that the level of requirement can only be determined by the risk assessor in theiir Fire RA - obviously as every working environment is different there can be no fixed standard of requirements and this point should be explained to the people who ask "what is the legal requirement?" - or simply ask them how long is a piece of string - it boils down to the same principle.

Posted By ClaireL
Hi everyone,

I needed the information yesterday, so I shall bow out of this converstion and leave you lot to debate the finer details.

With thanks.