Business owners in London often ask us how many fire extinguishers are required on a business premises. The law is that a business must have at least one fire extinguisher, but the recommended number depends on the type of business and the size of the building. It’s annoying to hear, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the factors determining how many fire extinguishers are needed and provide tips on choosing the right extinguisher for your business.
Fire Extinguishers in Commercial Premises — The Law
Fire extinguishers are an important part of fire safety on any business premises. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out the requirements for fire safety in all non-domestic premises, and there are specific requirements for fire extinguishers.
However, there is no single answer to the question of how many fire extinguishers are required on a business premises. The quick answer is that it depends!
The number of fire extinguishers required will depend on the size and layout of the premises, the type of business carried out, and the fire risks present. However, as a general rule, it is recommended there should be at least one fully compliant fire extinguisher for every 200 square metres of floor space.
How Many Fire Extinguishers in Your Workplace — The Basics
As a general rule of thumb, you should have two fire extinguishers available on every floor of your workplace. Class A fire extinguishers are designed to tackle wood or paper fires and are ideal for use in office environments. Three and six-litre foam extinguishers and nine-litre water extinguishers are the most common types of Class A fire extinguishers and will typically suffice for most workplaces.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Small premises, such as kiosks, newsagents and food trucks, can often find that having two fire extinguishers increases safety risks as they could block fire exits. In these cases, it is better to have a single fire extinguisher that is easily accessible.
Unique Business Risks
A small, single-floor office space will have very different fire safety requirements than a large, multi-story restaurant or a chemical manufacturing facility. The number of fire extinguishers required on a business premises varies depending on the type of equipment present. For example, if there is electrical equipment on the premises (which applies to most businesses), CO2 extinguishers are also required.
Even then, the size of the C02 extinguishers depends on the voltage of the equipment — if it is 415-volt rated, then 5kg extinguishers are needed, while 2kg extinguishers are sufficient for lower voltage equipment.
Additionally, if there’s a sprinkler system or an automated fire suppression system in place, fewer fire extinguishers may be required. So it can be complicated if you’re working on workplace fire safety for the first time!
How to Determine How Many Fire Extinguishers You Need
To determine how many fire extinguishers are required on a business premises, a fire safety risk assessment should be conducted to identify ignition and fuel sources. This forms a crucial part of your fire safety checklist.
Once ignition and fuel sources have been identified, the type of fire extinguisher needed can be worked out. For example, if there are flammable liquids present, a water or foam extinguisher would not be suitable.
Once the type of fire extinguisher has been determined, the size of the premises and potential fire risks will dictate how many are needed. For example, a small office with no ignition sources may only require one or two fire extinguishers, whereas a larger factory with multiple ignition sources will require several.
By conducting a thorough fire safety risk assessment, you can ensure you have the correct number and type of fire extinguishers for your premises. Once you have those extinguishers installed, they will need to be included in your regular fire system maintenance schedule.
What Kind of Fire Extinguisher Do I Need?
When it comes to fire safety, it is important to have the right tools for the job. Fire extinguishers come in different types, each designed to tackle a different kind of fire. As a result, it is important to perform a fire safety assessment to identify the types of fires that could occur on your premises and choose the appropriate extinguishers.
There are six main fire extinguisher types: water, foam, CO2, powder, water mist and wet chemicals. Each type of extinguisher is designed for use on different types of fires.
- Water extinguishers are best used on Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles, such as paper or wood.
- Foam extinguishers are suitable for Class B fires, which involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline.
- CO2 extinguishers can be used on Class B and Class C fires, which involve electrical equipment.
- Powder extinguishers are effective on Class D fires, which involve combustible metals.
- Water mist extinguishers can be used on Class A, Class B and Class C fires.
Wet chemical extinguishers are the most versatile type of extinguisher and can be used on all types of fires.
Once you have identified which fire extinguishers you need on your business premises, it’s time to consider where they need to be placed. You’ll also need a clear idea of how often your fire extinguishers should be checked to ensure they are in good working order.
Where Should Fire Extinguishers Be Kept in Business Premises?
Fire extinguishers should be placed by exits or fire alarm call points so occupants can quickly grab them if a fire breaks out. It’s a good idea to follow the 30-metre rule when placing fire extinguishers: building occupants should be within 30 metres of an extinguisher. This ensures everyone can reach one within a few seconds in case of an emergency.
Speciality extinguishers, such as those designed for foam or powder, should be placed near the specific hazard they’re meant to put out. For example, a foam extinguisher would be kept near chemicals that could catch fire.
All extinguishers must be easily accessible and visible so they can be quickly located in the event of a fire. They can be fixed to the wall using brackets or attached to a strong floor stand. This prevents them from being used for other purposes, such as propping doors open.
Fire Extinguisher Signage
It is important to have clear and legible signage indicating the type of extinguisher and how to use it. There are different fire extinguishers for different kinds of fires, and each must be used correctly to be effective. Using the wrong type of extinguisher can make a fire worse, so everyone must know which type to use in an emergency.
In addition to clearly identifying the types of fires each extinguisher can be used on, signage should also include instructions on how to operate the extinguisher. This may seem like common sense, but in the heat of the moment, it can be easy to forget the simple steps required to use an extinguisher effectively. With clear and concise signage, however, everyone will know what to do in an emergency, making fire safety a top priority.
How Many Fire Extinguishers Are Required on Your Business Premises?
How many fire extinguishers are required on a business premises? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question as it depends on several factors, including the size of the premises, the type of business being conducted and the unique fire hazards. However, a qualified fire protection specialist can help.
The best way to determine the fire safety needs of your business is to consult with fire safety experts like Astoria Fire and Security. We will carry out a FREE site survey to assess your premises and develop a customised fire safety plan that meets all of the necessary legal requirements. With our help, you can ensure your business is well-protected against the threat of fire.