Fire Extinguisher Maintenance – What do you need to know?

24th February 2015

Fire extinguishers can form an important means of first aid fire-fighting, but how can you ensure they will work in an emergency?

A stringent maintenance programme is paramount to provide reassurance that fire extinguishers will work if and when required, and to ensure their safety. Our fire safety experts have put together the below briefing as a reminder of the British Standards for the maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.
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Towards the end of 2009, the British Standards for the maintenance of portable fire extinguishers (BS5306-3:2009) brought in some changes to the procedures of servicing extinguishers.

This is to reflect that inspection is part of the commissioning process. It also reflects duties of the ‘Responsible Person’ under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO). All extinguishers should be fit for purpose and maintained correctly, and that those installed meet actual requirements. The Responsible person must ensure that a Competent Person is employed to undertake these tasks.

Below are some general points that will interest persons who are responsible for contracting works for the maintenance of extinguishers for premises under their control and what they should expect from their service provider:

  • The interval for basic service has been changed from requiring exactly 12 monthly visits – there is now a tolerance of one month either side of the last basic service. This was due to the fact it was impossible to visit premises exactly 12 months from previous appointment.
  • Extended service for water, water based or powder should be carried out 5 years from the date it was commissioned or 6 years from date of manufacture; whichever is sooner. For primary sealed powder types the requirement is 10 years from commissioning or 11 from date of manufacture (co2 extinguishers are the same at being 10 years).
  • Plastic head caps should be replaced at the end of an extended service and before reassembly of the extinguisher.
  • No markings required by EN 3 on the extinguisher should be blocked by provider labels/maintenance labels.
  • The maintenance label should have full postal address of service provider and a statement it has been serviced to BS5306-3.
  • The maintenance report MUST include details for the permanent replacements for condemned or missing extinguishers. It should also provide advice on coverage and if building needs improving.
  • Any extinguishers manufactured prior to 2002 and have no CE marking should be condemned.

A certificate of Inspection should include the following:

  • Name, full address and number of service provider
  • Date of Inspection
  • Service Technicians ID
  • List of extinguishers serviced
  • Signature of Responsible Person
  • Statement advising service has been carried out in accordance with BS5306-3

The above is the assist the ‘Responsible Person’ in fulfilling their duties under FSO. If you require further guidance or assistance, please contact our specialist fire safety team.

Richard Hennelly, Fire Consultant.