Not every fire extinguisher is right for every fire. Putting the wrong type in the wrong place can make a small fire worse, which is why the choice should follow your fire risk assessment rather than a quick shopping trip.
The main types and what they are typically used for
- Water: suited to fires involving paper, wood, textiles and similar materials. Not for electrical equipment or cooking oil.
- Foam: useful on solid materials and flammable liquids. Not for live electrical equipment.
- CO2: commonly used near electrical equipment because it leaves no residue. Often found in server rooms and offices.
- Dry powder: versatile, but can reduce visibility and make a mess, so it is not always ideal indoors.
- Wet chemical: designed for cooking oil and fat fires, so it belongs in commercial kitchens.
Always check the label on the extinguisher itself and the manufacturer’s guidance. The label tells you exactly which fires it is designed for.
Where to put them
Extinguishers are normally sited on escape routes, near exits and close to the specific hazards they are meant to protect. They should be easy to see, easy to reach and mounted at a sensible height so everyone can lift them. A cluttered corridor or a blocked cabinet defeats the purpose.
Keep them in working order
An extinguisher that has not been checked is only a guess. Typically, that means regular visual checks by someone on your team (is it in place, undamaged, with the pin and seal intact?) and servicing by a competent person. Keep a record of both in your fire safety register.
Does everyone know how to use them?
Having extinguishers is only part of the picture. Staff should know where they are and understand when to fight a fire and, more importantly, when to leave. People first, property second.
Your legal duties
Under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, a person in control of premises has a duty to take reasonable measures to guard against outbreak of fire and to ensure people’s safety if one occurs. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must also manage workplace risks, including fire.
How Safer Solutions can help
A fire risk assessment looks at your premises, your processes and your people, and tells you what firefighting equipment makes sense for your building. If you are unsure whether you have the right extinguishers in the right places, we will be happy to talk it through.
Call us on 086 275 9728 or email info@safersolutions.ie for a no-obligation chat about a fire risk assessment for your premises. Learn more about our fire risk assessments in Ireland.