We supply, install, commission, service and maintain fire extinguishers

Fire Guard Services

Fire Extinguisher Servicing

Fire extinguishers are a key component of a premises’ fire safety strategy and must be accessible and in perfect working order at all times. Fire extinguishers are used to control or extinguish small fires, and their regular maintenance is part of British fire safety regulations under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Our highly trained fire extinguisher engineers are FIA (Fire Industry Association), and BAFE (British Association of Fire Engineers) trained.

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Fire Extinguishers - The Law

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) requires that all fire extinguishers are installed and maintained in accordance with the British Standards code of practice for fire extinguishers (BS 5306).

This includes regular inspections and servicing of the extinguishers by a competent person, and ensuring that the correct type and number of extinguishers are installed in the appropriate locations.

What we offer

Fire Extinguisher inspection and maintenance

Under the British Standards code of practice for fire extinguishers (BS 5306), extinguishers must be regularly serviced to ensure they are in good working order.

A service must be carried out annually, we recommend this is carried out alongside your fire alarm service.

Included Inspections

Safety pin, clip and tamper seal

This involves checking the safety pin, clip, and tamper seal to ensure that they are properly in place, and have not been tampered with. This ensures that the fire extinguisher can only be used when it is intended to be used, and has not been used or tampered with inappropriately.

External Corrosion or Damage

This involves visually inspecting the fire extinguisher body for any signs of external corrosion or damage. This is important because corrosion or damage can weaken the body of the fire extinguisher, making it less effective in the event of a fire.

Legibility of all labelling

This involves checking that all the labelling on the fire extinguisher is legible and in good condition. This ensures that users can easily identify the type of fire extinguisher and its intended use.

Overall weight

This involves weighing the fire extinguisher to ensure that it has not lost more than 10% of its overall weight. If the fire extinguisher has lost more than this, it must be replaced, as it may no longer be effective.

Pressure gauge test

This involves checking the pressure gauge on the fire extinguisher to ensure that it is within the recommended range. This ensures that the fire extinguisher will function properly in the event of a fire.

Replacement of ‘O’ rings

This involves replacing the ‘O’ rings on the fire extinguisher to ensure that it is properly sealed and does not leak.

Fire extinguisher cleanliness

This involves cleaning the fire extinguisher to ensure that it is free of any debris or obstructions that could hinder its performance.

Wall mounting security

This involves checking that the fire extinguisher is securely mounted to the wall to ensure that it is easily accessible in the event of a fire.

Signage condition

This involves checking the condition of any signage related to the fire extinguisher, such as instructions or warning signs.

Hose integrity

This involves checking the hose on the fire extinguisher to ensure that it is in good condition and not cracked or damaged.

Horn condition

This involves checking the condition of the horn on the fire extinguisher, which is used to discharge the extinguishing agent.

Head cap examination

This involves examining the head cap of the fire extinguisher to ensure that it is properly secured and in good condition.

A maintenance contract is the most reliable way to keep your fire extinguishers in tip-top condition and fully operational.

Contact us for Fire Extinguisher Advice

Water Fire Extinguisher on transparent background

Water Fire Extinguisher

A water fire extinguisher is usually labelled with a white label that says “WATER”. Water fire extinguishers have a class A rating and are safe for use on wood, paper and fabric fires.

A water extinguisher is NOT suitable for:

  • Flammable liquids, such as oil, as it will not be able to extinguish the fire and could potentially cause an explosion
  • Electrical fires, as using a water fire extinguisher on an electrical fire puts the user at risk of electrocution
Foam Fire Extinguisher on transparent background

Foam Fire Extinguisher

A foam extinguisher is identifiable by a cream coloured label that reads “FOAM”. These can be used for wood, paper and fabric fires. Foam extinguishers are also safe to use on flammable liquid fires.

The use of a foam fire extinguisher is NOT suitable for:

  • Electrical fires
  • Flammable metal fires

Using a foam fire extinguisher on these types of fires can actually exacerbate a fire, instead of extinguishing it.

Powder Fire Extinguisher on transparent background

Powder Fire Extinguisher

A powder fire extinguisher can be identified by a blue label that says “POWDER”. Powder extinguishers can be used on wood, paper and fabric fires. They can also be used on flammable liquid fires, gaseous fires and even electrical fires and are recommended for use in plant and boiler rooms. They should not be used in enclosed spaces and it is best to install them after a risk assessment for the building has been completed.

Powder extinguishers CANNOT be used on:

  • Fires involving cooking oil (such as pan fires)
  • Fires involving electrical equipment that exceed 1000v
  • Fires in enclosed spaces
  • Fires involving flammable metals (unless it is a “specialist” dry powder extinguisher)

In these circumstances, the use of powder fire extinguishers can exacerbate the fire rather than extinguish it.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher on transparent background

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher

A wet chemical fire extinguisher can be identified by a yellow label that states “Wet Chemical”. Wet chemical extinguishers can be used on wood, paper and fabric fires. They are mainly used for cooking and deep fat fryer fires.

Wet chemical extinguishers are NOT suitable for:

  • Electrical fires
  • Flammable liquid fires
  • Gaseous fires

Again, in these circumstances, the use of wet fire extinguishers can escalate a fire rather than extinguish it.

CO2 Fire Extinguisher

CO2 Fire Extinguisher

CO2 fire extinguishers can be identified by a black label reading “CO2”. CO2 fire extinguishers are safe for use on flammable liquid fires and electrical fires.

CO2 extinguishers are NOT suitable for use on:

  • Wood fires
  • Paper fires
  • Fabric fires
  • Cooking fires that involve oil and grease (such as chip pan fires) as the extinguisher could end up blasting the flames into the surrounding area
Lithium-Ion extinguisher on white background

Lithium-Ion Extinguisher

Lithium-ion extinguishers are used for extinguishing fires caused by Lithium-Ion batteries. Lithium-Ion batteries are usually found in devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and power banks.

Other devices can include:

  • Electric bikes
  • UPS backup systems
  • Charging stations
  • Power tools

Lithium-Ion fire extinguishers are also suitable for Class A fires and electrical fires, but are NOT suitable for Class B, C, D, or F fires.

Fire extinguisher characteristics chart

Contact us to order your Fire Extinguishers

Have a question?

Your Fire Extinguisher Questions Answered

Fire extinguishers are an essential part of any fire safety system and must be tested regularly in order to comply with legal requirements and to ensure they are working correctly.

We also understand that business owners may have questions about fire extinguishers. That’s why we’ve created this short FAQ to answer some of your questions.

The UK servicing standard BS 5306-3 puts the responsibility on the user (i.e. the company) to use a competent person to perform the annual inspections, install, commission (skilled checks made to the extinguisher on-site), service and test discharge fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers should never be stored near heat sources such as stoves, generators, or fireplaces. Extinguishers should be kept in temperatures between -40 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid serious damage to the hose, valve, or tank.

BS5306 recommends that fire extinguishers are tested by discharge every five years (water, foam and powder) and refilled or replaced every ten years (CO2). CO2 extinguishers are sent away to be pressure tested.