Fire extinguishers are in place to either  fight fire or to assist in evacuation it is argued. In general they are often placed at a set distance, in certain numbers near the fire hazards and at exit doors.

Why are they placed at final exit doors is my question - Evacuees are nearly out of the building and then are tempted to stop to go back and fight the fire with the extinguisher - WHY ARE THEY THERE?

SBH

I do understand the concern though. I worry that they encourage people to return into the building to fight the fire. In saying that I am not sure of a better place for them, so I tend to point out during our fire safety induction that this is not their purpose.

Extinguishers should be available for immediate use at all times. Normally, extinguishers should be located: a) in conspicuous positions on brackets, on floor stands or within cabinets; b) where they will be readily seen by persons following an escape route; c) most suitably, near to room exits, corridors, stairways, lobbies and landings; d) in similar positions on each floor, where floors are of similar appearance; e) in accordance, additionally, with the recommendations given in BS 5306-8

Extinguishers to tackle class B, class D, class F and fire involving electrical equipment should ideally be located such that the correct extinguisher for that fire type is the first one encountered by the prospective operator. This recommendation is most relevant where the prospective operator might not have received adequate training in the selection and use of extinguishers. It is also possible that even adequately trained operators could make an incorrect extinguisher choice when a fire is discovered, due to the alarming nature.

Extinguishers should not be located:

1) where a potential fire might prevent access to them; 2) over or close to heating appliances; 3) in concealed positions behind doors, in cupboards or deep recesses; 4) where they might cause obstruction to exit routes; 5) in positions in rooms or corridors away from exit routes unless they are necessary to cover a particular hazard; 6) where they might be damaged, e.g. by hotel-housekeeping trolleys or food-chain roll-cages.

Extract from BS 5306-8. I hope that helps.

Fire extinguishers are sited at or near to exots so that:

1. people do not have to enter into the premises to collect an extinguisher, that may put them in danger,

2. Once the exit has been reached persons trained to use fire extinguishers can make a decision whether to pick up the correct extinguisher and use it to fight the fire with their back to the exit, or they can simply decide to carry on evacuating.

There should no be the risk of incorrect type of extinguisher being used if adequate training has been provided.

For what it's worth. I work in mental Health care and we allow our staff to make their own judgement when it cime to fire fighting. Sometimes for us it is best to call the rescue services out and tackle the fire. Because, trhe fires atre often very small and we can solve a small problem from getting out of hand. But each to their own. Our fire fighting equipment is locked in a box, which staff have access to. Its a call only the staff can make.So far so good.

Surely they are near the door so that they can be used to prop the doors open? 

Edited by user 07 May 2019 20:49:49(UTC)  | Reason: FFS

Originally Posted by: nickpatience1

Surely they are near the door so that they can be used to prop the doors open? 

Propping doors open is not too bad if they are Exit doors, and open for valid reasons like allowing fresh air into the building.

Propping Fire Doors open is never allowed unless it is by means of purpose provided devices that 'close' the door on actuation of the fire alarm.

Fire Doors are usually found inside premises and not close to the final exits therefore using fire extinguishers to prop open Fire Doors should not be a problem, unless extinguishers are sited near to Fire Doors for a particular reason.

If there is a fire all doors need to close so ensure all propping devices are removed and all doors close.

Lots of good information around FAFA near doors. Here is another one - they can also assit opening doors if they do not open as advertised, theferfore becoming a BS Key to force a door