Introduction.
Fires have been classified into four groups A, B, C, and D
- Class A fires - are fires
involving organic solids like paper, wood, etc
- Class B fires
- are fires involving flammable Liquids.
- Class C fires
- are fires involving flammable Gasses
- Class D fires
- are fires involving Metals .

Electrical fires are not included, as they can fall into any of
the classifications. However if you use a water extinguisher you
must isolate the electric supply first as you could be electrocuted.
In addition it must be remembered that certain electrical apparatus
maintains a lethal charge for some time after it has been switch
off.
What should you do if you discover a fire? You must get everyone
out as quickly as possible and call the fire brigade. However you
may discover a fire in its very early stages and think that you
can deal with it yourself. The first thing that you should remember
is that fire spreads very quickly. Even a small contained fire can
quickly spread, producing smoke and fumes which can kill in seconds.
If you are in any doubt do not tackle the fire, no matter how small.
You can put yourself at risk by fighting the fire.
If in doubt get out, call the Fire Service out and stay out.
New F Class for fire extinguishers

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a standard
introducing a new fire classification for cooking oil and fat fires,
Class F, in BS 7937: Specification for portable fire extinguishers
for use on cooking oil : 2000.
The standard, which was published in January, is available from
BSI, tel: 020 8996 9001, fax: 020 8996 7001.
The standard includes a detailed description of the rigorous testing
extinguishers must successfully undergo to achieve the Class F test
fire rating.
Colour coding of Extinguisher
The type of extinguisher is identified by a colour coding as indicated
below. The old standard the whole of the body of the extinguisher
was painted the appropriate colour code. You will find these in
many premises and are legal , you do not need to change them unless
the the extinguisher is defective and need to be replaced. New extinguisher
use the new standard.
- The new standard is BS EN 3 part 5 "Portable Fire Extinguishers
- Specification and supplementary tests"
- Water extinguishers are coloured signal red.
- Other extinguishers will be predominantly signal red with the
manufacturers label, a band or circle covering at least 5% of
the surface area of the extinguisher of a second colour to indicate
the contents of the extinguisher. I prefer the band around the
extinguisher to be used because it can be seen from any angle.
- The old standard, the entire body of the extinguisher was colour-coded.
You may find extinguishers colour coded green, they are vapourising
liquids (BCF), and are being phased out as the result of the Montreal
protocol They need to be disposed of by the end of 2003, but
are still legal until then, but you may find it difficult to have
then recharged as none of this extinguishing medium is being manufactured
and you will not be able to have them recharged at all after the end
of 2002. For more information go to Phasing
out Halons in portable fire extinguishers.
Consequently
you may see any of the above methods of colour coding but the indicating
colour always indicates the same type of extinguisher medium.
Type |
Old Code |
BS EN 3 Colour Code |
Fire Class |
Water |
Signal Red |
Signal Red |
A |
Foam |
Cream |
Signal Red with a cream panel above the operating Instructions |
A B |
Dry Powder |
French Blue |
Red with a Blue panel above the operating
instructions |
A, B, C |
Carbon Dioxide |
Black |
Red with a Black panel above the operating
instructions |
A(Limited),B |
Halon |
Emerald Green |
No longer produced - illegal in the UK |
A |
Wet Chemical |
Not in use |
Red with a Canary Yellow panel above the operating instructions |
A,F |
Special Powders |
French Blue |
Red with a Blue panel above the operating
instructions |
D |
Fire Rating
All extinguishers capable of extinguishing class A and B fires
carry a Fire Rating which is indicated by a number and letter. (13A,
55B) The number is the size of fire it can extinguish under test
conditions, the larger the number, the larger the fire it can extinguish.
The letter indicates the fire classification as above. Some extinguisher
like Dry Powder carry both a class A and class B rating because
of the properties of the extinguishing medium.
Allocation and Siting of Extinguishers.
For the home a fire blanket and a 2kg CO2 extinguisher in the kitchen,
would be considered satisfactory for most situations. The domestic
tap using a suitable container or a hose reel is satisfactory for
most of the class A fires in the home but remember if in doubt,
get out and always call the fire service out.
Commercial organisation's need to be more professional by conducting
a survey to ascertain the number and type of extinguisher that is
required and a more substantial fire extinguishing capability will
be required. As a rule of thumb you need one 9 litres water extinguisher
for every 200 sq metres of floor space with a minimum of two extinguishers.
Special risks other than Class "A" must be considered separately.
Companies that are FETA approved should be used and this will ensure
the installation and maintenance is of the highest standard.
Extinguishers should normally be sited on escape routes and in
similar locations on all floors forming groups to create ‘fire
points’.They should be fixed in a location where the extinguisher
can be reached quickly. The best place is near a door leading to
a place of safety, on an escape route or adjacent to a specific
risk. They should be fixed where they can be easily seen, fixing
them inside cupboards or behind doors will only waste valuable time
if a fire breaks out. Do not place them over cookers or heaters
or in places of extreme temperatures hot or cold.
The additional following factors should also be considered when
siting fire extinguishers.
- Extinguishers should be fixed at an elevated height so that
the carrying handle is, 1m from the floor for heavier units and
1.5m for smaller units.
- For special risks hey should adjacent to the risk but not too
close to prevent use in the event of fire occurring.
- They should be near the door, in shallow recesses, and away
from extremes of temperature.
- Ensure a maximum 30m traveling distance from a fire to an extinguisher.
- The method of operation should be similar for all extinguishers,
where possible.
- The occupiers should be capable of handling all the types and
sizes recommended.
- Where different types of extinguishers for different risk types
are sited together they must be properly labeled to prevent confusion.
- Extinguishers should br fitted with suitable jet or spray nozzles
or flexible hoses to suit the risk involved.
Additional References can be found in BS 5306 Part 8.
Maintenance
Extinguishers to be serviced to the latest standard. The manufacturers
instructions will tell you what you need to do to keep your extinguisher
in good working order. After an extinguisher has been used, even
if only partially, it must be recharged according to the manufacturers
instructions.
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).
Note. They can also supply a list of companies
approved by them to service portable fire extinguishers.
Purchasing Portable Fire Extinguishers
When purchasing fire extinguishers always ensure they meet the
requirements of the appropriate British Standard. Look for the kite
mark or the special BAFE mark. You should also make sure you have
a maintenance contract available and have them checked regularly.
If you require any further information about the type of fire
extinguisher you should buy, ask your local fire brigade. They will
be glad to help you and their expert advice is free of charge. They
will also be able to provide you with general fire safety advice.
Surfing the web or the yellow pages will produce many suppliers
but always use an UK based companies who will stock extinguishers
meeting the appropriate British Standard.
Which Portable Fire Extinguishers
to Use
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| Fires involving
freely burning materials. For example wood, paper, textiles
and other carbonaceous materials. |
Fires involving
flammable liquids. For example petrol and spirits. NOT ALCOHOL
OR COOKING OIL. |
Fires involving
flammable gasses. For example propane and butane. |
Fires involving
flammable metals. For example magnesium and lithium. |
Fires involving
electrical equipment. For example photocopiers, fax machines
and computers. |
Fires involving
cooking oil and fat. For example olive oil, maize oil, lard
and butter. |
| Water |
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| Foam |
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| ABC Dry Powder |
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| Dry Special Powder |
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| CO2 Gas |
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| Wet Chemical |
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Before you tackle a fire.
Many people put out small fires quite safely. However, some people
die or are injured by tackling a fires which are beyond their capabilities.
Here is a simple fire code to help you decide whether to put out
or get out.
- Only tackle a fire in its very early stages.
- Always put your own and other peoples safety first. Make sure
you can escape if you need to and never let a fire block you exit.
- Fire extinguishers are only for fighting a fire in its very
early stages. Never tackle a fire if it is starting to spread
or has spread to other items in the room or if the room is filling
with smoke. Around 70% of fire deaths are caused by people being
overcome by smoke and fumes.
- If you cannot put out the fire or if the extinguisher becomes
empty, get out and get everyone else out of the building immediately,
closing all doors behind you as you go. Then ensure the fire brigade
has been called.
Further information
Additional information can be found in Portable
Fire Extinguisher Guide.
Chief & Assistant Fire Officers Association which has public
section giving advice on fire safety matters. http://www.cfoa.org.uk/
Fire Industries Association is a new trade association formed by
the merger of two leading associations within the fire protection
industry - FETA (Fire Extinguishing Trades Association established
in 1916), the trade association of companies responsible for the
manufacture and maintenance of portable fire-fighting equipment
and BFPSA (British Fire Protection Systems Association established
in 1966), the coordinating body for the UK fire systems industry.
The two associations have long shared the common interest of upholding
and enhancing the professional status of the UK fire industry. http://www.fia.uk.com/
British Approval for Fire Equipment is an organisation that ensures
and lays down the standards for fire equipment in the UK. http://www.bafe.org.uk/
Information
on types and use of extinguishers
History
of the Portable Fire extinguisher
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