How Many Fire Extinguishers Should My Business Have?

They might seem like the most basic of fire safety equipment, yet the rules and regulations around fire extinguishers in businesses are far from simple. But don’t fret – we’re here to help!

When installed and used correctly, fire extinguishers are one of the most effective ways of stopping a fire from spreading. The question is, do you know how many you legally need? Many businesses underestimate the number required, which can lead to all sorts of unnecessary compliance and safety issues. So let’s get to grips with how many fire extinguishers your business premises needs, which types are on offer, and how Midland Fire Security Services can install and maintain your fire safety system to keep your property safe and secure.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Fire Extinguishers?

So let’s get down to the details. Here are the rules you need to follow, laid out by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and British Standards (BS 5306), which will help you calculate the number of fire extinguishers you need:

• Businesses should have at least one serviced fire extinguisher per 200m² of floor space (or per 2,150 square feet).
• At least two extinguishers per floor are required, unless the floor is under 100m².
• Anyone inside the building should always be within 30m of an extinguisher.
• Automatic fire suppression systems may reduce the number of extinguishers needed.
• Start with a fire risk assessment to determine the precise number of extinguishers required.

Your fire risk assessment will address a variety of factors, such as layout, ignition points, fuel sources and business operations, which will impact on the number of extinguishers you need. Depending on the fire risks present and the size of your premises, the class and capacity of your extinguishers will also be decided on, as well as if more than one extinguisher is needed per area.

Understanding Fire Extinguisher Types

While using a fire extinguisher correctly has the potential to save your business from major damage, using the wrong type can make the situation worse. For example, using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire could cause electrocution.

To start with, you need to understand the UK fire classifications, which breaks down each type of fire based on the materials at play:

• Class A: Fires involving solid materials like wood, paper and textiles.
• Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, oils and solvents.
• Class C: Fires involving flammable gases like propane and butane.
• Class D: Fires involving combustible metals, including magnesium and lithium.
• Class F: Fires involving cooking oils and fats, mainly found in kitchens.
• Electrical Fires: Fires caused by electrical equipment, which require specialised extinguishing methods to avoid electrocution.

Each fire type requires a specific method and a different extinguisher to effectively put it out. Here’s the info at a glance:

To determine which type of fire you’re most at risk of and which extinguisher to place where, a fire risk assessment is your first port of call, and you can read our full guide on fire extinguisher types here.

Fire Extinguisher Placement & Signage

Another key factor that affects the amount of extinguishers you need is the placement of your fire extinguishers. Firstly, extinguishers should be visible and easy to locate. They should be installed close to exits and alarm call points, and always within 30 metres of any fire risk.

It’s also crucial that the extinguishers are properly labelled, so that staff can quickly identify what type of extinguisher they are and how to use them. Providing fire safety training for your staff is also of the utmost importance, so they know how to handle the extinguishers, as well as raise the alarm and lead an evacuation.

 

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance & Servicing

Of course, having the correct fire extinguishers installed is only half the job. Fire extinguisher maintenance is just as important, not to mention a legal requirement. Extinguishers can degrade over time, so without regular servicing, they may fail in an emergency which puts your staff and property at risk.

The guidelines state the following maintenance intervals for fire extinguishers:

• Monthly visual inspections to check for damage and obvious problems.
• Annual professional servicing to ensure full functionality.
• Extended servicing every 5-10 years depending on extinguisher type.
• 20-year overhaul, replacing old extinguishers regardless of their condition.

Have You Thought About P50 Fire Extinguishers?

The P50 is a self-maintained commercial fire extinguisher with a 20-year lifespan and no need for annual professional servicing. Instead, your business will just need to perform simple annual in-house checks, saving you time and money in the long run.

These fire extinguishers are revolutionary in the world of fire safety, as not only are they self-maintained, they’re suitable for multiple fire types too. This reduces the number of fire extinguishers your business will need as well as keeping your property as safe as possible. Stay ahead of the curve and contact Midland Fire today about installing P50 fire extinguishers at your business.

 

Who Can Supply and Service Fire Extinguishers?

When looking for a fire extinguisher service provider, always choose a BAFE-certified technician or professional fire safety company, like Midland Fire. They’ll make sure you have the correct number and type of fire extinguishers, located in the correct positions, and they’ll maintain your equipment to the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Hiring a fire safety expert means you can be confident that your business is as safe as it can be, and that you’re sticking to all the correct guidelines to avoid fines and insurance invalidation.

Choose Midland Fire for Fire Extinguisher Installation & Maintenance

Midland Fire is a BAFE-accredited fire safety contractor specialising in commercial fire extinguishers. We install and maintain fire extinguishers for businesses of all sizes, across a range of industries, and we can supply fire blankets, accessories and signage for a comprehensive service.

25 years of experience
We’ve been protecting people and businesses since 1999.

Expert engineers
Each of our 30 engineers is a time served electrician and a fully qualified fire alarm engineer.

Full support from start to finish
We’ll effectively manage each stage of your project from consultation and design to installation, certification and maintenance.

Quality products
Midland Fire only supplies products from reputable brands that we know will future proof your business.

Need a Fire Extinguisher Expert to Help Safeguard Your Business?

We offer everything from your initial fire risk assessment, to fire extinguisher installation as well as a full fire extinguisher service plan. Our friendly engineers are on hand to advise you and offer expert guidance on how to fully protect your business from the risk of fire.

At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. Contact us today for your free consultation.

 

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