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FIRE SAFETY STANDARD
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
The following details support the Safety Guidance Note Fire fighting equipment – provision
and use. (SGN052).
The intention here is to provide an explanation to staff of the standards for provision, use and
maintenance of fire extinguishers so that they may assist in the monitoring and maintaining
of the standards.
Reliance is placed upon staff in general to note and report the absence or adverse condition
of fire extinguishers. (Tamper indicators are fitted to equipment to assist in this)
TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Chosen for general purposes is the Foam-spray or aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) type.
This is suitable for use on: Class A fires (involving paper, wood, fabric etc – embers and ash formed)
 Class B fires (involving liquids)
 This type is regarded as safe for inadvertent use on electrical equipment supplied at low
voltage. (Passed the 35kv electrical conductivity test)
The extinguisher size is normally 6 litres, with integral gas cylinder for pressurisation, and a
hand squeeze lever method of operation. Its colour is red with a cream coloured head
assembly.
The carbon dioxide type is chosen where there is: exceptional risk of fires involving electrical equipment (particularly where such fires may
involve high voltage)
 substantial use of flammable liquids
The extinguisher contains 2kgs of compressed carbon dioxide in a red coloured cylinder with
a black coloured adjustable discharge horn.
LOCATION AND NUMBERS OF EXTINGUISHERS
The general purpose extinguishers are normally sited singly at locations that do not
jeopardise the safety or escape of any user looking to locate the equipment. For many
buildings and areas these locations will be staircase landings and lobbies near to exit doors.
Where fire risk assessment identifies the fire outbreak risks to be higher, then the numbers,
locations and types of extinguishers may be accordingly varied. (eg. in laboratory and
workshop areas)
Additional or specialist equipment will be considered for some special risks (eg. electrical
supply rooms, heating plant rooms, kitchen deep-fat fryers). In recognition of the increased
safety risks to individuals using such additional or special extinguishers, they will only be
provided where there is a concomitant commitment of staff to the necessary training.
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Fire Safety Standard: Fire Extinguishers
FSS03: August 2007
Revised January 2009
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
The Health and Safety Unit is responsible for identifying, in conjunction with local managers,
the needs for fire extinguishers and for the provision and maintenance of fire extinguishers.


All new extinguishers will be manufactured to BS EN 3 with existing extinguishers having
conformed to BS 5423.
The portable fire extinguishers are maintained and annually serviced by a competent
contractor in accordance with manufacturer’s service and maintenance instructions to
a standard recommended in BS 5306.
The exceptions to the above management responsibility are: University-managed student accommodation where Accommodation Services has the
responsibility for the provision and maintenance.
 Those premises used by the University but that iare owned and controlled by another
party.
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Fire Safety Standard: Fire Extinguishers
FSS03: August 2007
Revised January 2009
Appendix
FIRE HOSE REELS
The University has never regarded fire hose reels as a part of its ‘first-aid’ fire fighting
equipment. The policy for provision and use of portable fire fighting equipment is established
and recorded in SGN052.
It has been established with Facilities (Estates) that:

When a hose reel became faulty it will not be repaired but be taken out of use

In refurbishment circumstances the opportunity will be taken to remove any hose
reels and take advantage of a reduced design constraint and of the space gained.
All fire hose reels that remain have been taken out of use and receive no future servicing or
maintenance. To positively reflect this action:

A notice to this effect has been displayed at each location

Isolating valves have been closed (where accessible).
It is to be hoped that Facilities (Estates) will progressively remove the hose reels and
associated features (eg. doors).
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Fire Safety Standard: Fire Extinguishers
FSS03: August 2007
Revised January 2009