Fire Fighting Equipment and Facilities


Y


our risk assessment may identify the need for fire fighting equipment such as:


• Portable fire extinguishers • Fire blankets • Fire buckets • Hose reels • Sprinkler systems • Watermist systems • Waterspray systems • Gaseous fixed fire extinguishing systems • Foam systems • Powder systems • Kitchen fire suppression systems • Facilities for use by fire fighters including fire mains, fire fighting lifts and fire fighters switches for high- voltage illuminated signs


The sections that follow will give more information about this equipment to help provide a basic understanding of its applications and use.


PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Critical parts of UK fire legislation are the general fire precautions or fire safety measures that the responsible person will need to take to comply with the law. Key measures of these general fire precautions can,


in part, be met by the adequate provision of portable fire extinguishers, the application of a suitable system of maintenance and effective training in their use. Portable fire extinguishers are able to control or extinguish small fires, preventing them from developing into big ones before Fire & Rescue Service arrive. Portable fire extinguishers are valuable in the early stages of fire because of their portability, immediate availability and easy use by one person.


People are not expected to deal with a large fire, since extinguishers are essentially first aid fire fighting appliances of a limited capacity. But their ability to help contain the spread of fire may be vital until the Fire & Rescue Service arrive. The capability to contain and prevent the spread


of small fires is an essential tool in meeting general fire precaution measures or fire safety measures required by law. Portable fire extinguishers can reduce the likelihood of the spread of fire on the premises and mitigate the effects of the fire on people, property and the environment. Fire fighting equipment should be simple to use, essentially, a pull-pin, point and squeeze handle operation. This makes them easy for anyone to use. However, the usefulness of portable fire extinguishers depends on people knowing how to use them. All modern extinguishers have clear instructions on them. Where there are employees some, and preferably all, should be provided with formal training. Various types of portable fire fighting equipment


are available, ranging from the simple fire bucket with water or sand through to water-based extinguishers as well as foam, powder, CO2 extinguishers.


and wet chemical


Guidance in BS 5306-8, the code of practice for fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises, advises on the selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers. Recommendations are given on the type, quantity and rating of fire extinguishers that should be used and where they should be located such as on escape routes, stairwells, fire exits and corridors. This will ensure that the means of escape can be safely and effectively used at all times. The type of a fire extinguisher will be dictated by


the fire class and this is defined in the table below. The FIA recommends that fire safety equipment


Fire Class Description A B


C D F


Flammable solids Flammable liquids Flammable gases Flammable metals Cooking oils


Example Materials Wood, paper, cloth Petrol, solvents Propane, LPG


Magnesium, lithium Cooking oils and fats


Extinguisher Type / media Water, Foam, Powder


Foam, Powder, CO2 Powder


Class D powder Class F (e.g. wet chemical) BEST PRACTICE GUIDE TO FIRE SAFETY |17


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