Fire Extinguisher Guidance

Fire Extinguisher Guidance

BAFE strongly advise any individual responsible for fire safety within a premises to engage with appropriate Third-Party Certificated/BAFE Registered Organisations for their fire safety requirements and guidance.

For fire extinguisher sourcing, commissioning, siting, service, and maintenance a BAFE SP101 Registered Organisation should be used to confirm you are employing a suitable organisation for your fire extinguisher requirements and expertise required.

The BAFE SP101 Scheme sets out the required competency criteria for portable fire extinguisher organisations and their employed fire extinguisher technicians. This includes following relevant British Standards for fire extinguisher works provided.

Maintenance

BAFE would like to highlight the key maintenance guidance and requirements outlined within the relevant British Standards.

The British Standard for portable fire extinguisher selection and positioning (BS 5306-8) states that after installation, the Responsible Person has a “duty to ensure that the equipment is in full working order.” The standard continues to state that the Responsible Person has a “duty to review the extinguisher cover following changes in use of the building, or introduction of new hazards(s) to the premises, in case a modification is required.”

It also importantly highlights that “commissioning and maintenance should be carried out in accordance with BS 5306-3” (see below).

The British Standard for portable fire extinguisher maintenance/servicing (BS 5306-3) states that “after commissioning, portable fire extinguishers are subject to four types of service (basic service, extended service, recharge and overhaul), which should be carried out at intervals recommended [in BS 5306-3].”

A basic fire extinguisher service “should be performed for all extinguishers at least annually”.

“It is the duty of the responsible person to ensure that extinguishers are maintained regularly by a competent person [such as a BAFE SP101 fire extinguisher technician under the employment of a BAFE SP101 Registered Organisation]. Portable fire extinguishers are regarded as “life safety equipment” and a planned system of maintenance is intended to ensure that the equipment is:

  • in an efficient working state (safe);
  • in working order (reliable);
  • in good repair (efficient);
  • suitable for the hazard (fit for purpose)”

For further guidance on maintenance intervals please engage with an appropriately Third-Party Certificated/BAFE SP101 Registered Organisation for their expertise.

Information Source

The information used in this guidance is from:

  • BS 5306-8:2023 Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises – Part 8: Selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers – Code of practice, Clause 4.2 (Post-installation arrangements).
  • BS 5306-3:2017 Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises – Part 3: Commissioning and maintenance of portable for extinguishers – Code of practice, Clause 6 (Maintenance intervals).

Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. Sources of information are stated appropriately. No legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.