Purchasing a new fire extinguisher is not a guarantee that the equipment is in perfect working order. Under the Regulatory Reform Order landlords have specific duties to undertake a fire risk assessment of their premises and ensure current fire safety measures are met. To help landlords comply with these responsibilities, Fire Protection Centre provide a free Pre-Delivery inspection on every fire extinguisher purchased ensuring the extinguisher is ready for immediate use.
Tony Robson, Marketing Director of Fire Protection Centre, comments:
"Many users are unaware that a new fire extinguisher should be inspected and certified to ensure it is in working order before being put into service. When we carry out our inspection we supply a completed maintenance label detailing the date of inspection. The label is normally attached to the fire extinguisher so the fire safety officer, or person responsible, can view the maintenance record of the appliance and schedule ongoing maintenance."
Following the first fire extinguisher inspection, thereafter it is recommended that extinguishers be routinely checked at least every 3 months. Ideally, a monthly check will ensure a fire extinguisher has not been discharged or lost pressure. Most stored pressure fire extinguishers are fitted with an integral pressure gauge for this purpose.
British Standard Code of Practice (BS5306 Part 3) recommends that fire extinguishers be serviced at least annually to ensure they function in an emergency and that a service record is kept detailing the maintenance history.* In addition to the individual maintenance label it is good practice to maintain a central logbook containing details of all fire protection equipment, fire drills, training and fire incidents in the building
The requirement to provide fire-fighting equipment in buildings is embodied within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which requires that where necessary:
a) the premises are, to the extent that it is appropriate, equipped with appropriate fire fighting equipment
And:
b) Any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment so provided is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs."
###*The extinguisher should be properly serviced once a year. You should use a company registered by the British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE). BAFE is a Government recognised national organisation. You can get details of approved products and advice from:
British Approvals for Fire Equipment, 48a Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 1EE (Tel: 0181 541 1950).
Fire Protection Centre is an independent stockist and trade distributor of fire protection products, namely extinguishers and accessories.
Established in 2000 the Company is committed to leading from the front with quality, approved products at affordable prices backed by the best possible service.