Have you been wondering who exactly is responsible for using a fire extinguisher? Employers, known as ‘responsible persons,’ ensure workplace fire safety by providing equipment, like extinguishers, and training for nominated team members to ensure safe use.
To learn more about fire safety legislation and who exactly is responsible for using a fire extinguisher, continue reading.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) outlines the legal requirements for fire extinguishers in the workplace. The RRFSO is the primary safety legislation in England and Wales, combining various laws into a single risk-based framework.
Article 13(3) within RRFSO requires a responsible person, such as an employer or business owner, to nominate people to implement firefighting measures. Nominees must receive adequate training to use equipment, including fire extinguishers.
So, Who is Responsible for Using a Fire Extinguisher?
No one is legally mandated to use a fire extinguisher. However, under the RRFSO, responsible persons (employers) must provide fire extinguishers, nominate competent staff members for firefighting measures, and ensure those nominees have undergone training.
In summary, only specifically trained people should attempt to extinguish a fire. However, there’s no law prohibiting untrained individuals from using a fire extinguisher if no one else is present, although this isn’t always advised, as it could result in more damage.
When to Use a Fire Extinguisher
When should you use a fire extinguisher?
- The fire alarm has been raised
- Evacuation has started
- You are one metre away from the fire
- Emergency services have been contacted
- The fire is relatively small & contained
- The fire is not near electrical equipment
- The room is not full of smoke
- You have the correct fire extinguisher for the fire
When Not to Use a Fire Extinguisher
When should you not use a fire extinguisher?
- The fire is too big to put out with a fire extinguisher
- The fire contains escaping gases
- High-voltage electricity could fuel the fire
- The room is full of smoke
- The area is too hot to be near
Types of Fire Extinguishers
There are five main types of fire extinguishers, each with a specific use depending on the fire.
Type | Colour | Use For: |
Water | Red | Flammable solids, including wood, paper, and various textiles |
Foam | Cream | Flammable solids listed above, plus flammable liquids, such as paint, petrol & solvents |
Dry Powder | Blue | Flammable solids & liquids listed above, plus flammable gases, such as propane, butane & acetylene |
CO2 | Black | Flammable liquids, plus electrical fires that cause suffocating flames |
Wet Chemical | Yellow | Flammable cooking oils & fats, typically found in kitchen environments |
How Many Fire Extinguishers Should You Install?: BS 5306 Calculation Formula
The number of fire extinguishers required is determined by a fire risk assessment and depends on the floor footprint according to the BS 5306 calculation.
The BS 5306 calculation is fire rating = floor area (m²) × 0.065.
The calculation is important as it ensures sufficient fire extinguisher capacity and coverage to fight any potential fire hazards across the premises and also meets legal standards to ensure the correct protection.
Let’s look at an example:
We will assume the floor space is 35m x 40m = 1400m²
1400 x 0.065 = 91A fire rating required
91 ÷ 13 = 7 extinguishers (rounded up)
This means you would need 7 fire extinguishers per floor.
Where Do You Install Fire Extinguishers?
Fire extinguishers are typically installed near escape routes, such as corridors, landings, hallways, and stairways.
They’re found either mounted on the wall or in a display unit (small models 1.5 metres above ground and larger models just under 1 metre above ground). They should be easy to find and clearly labelled to ensure the correct use. If a fire extinguisher faces an obstruction, a sign should be placed that says ‘fire extinguisher location point’.
When to Replace a Fire Extinguisher
In line with UK fire extinguisher regulations (BS 5306-3), extinguishers require monthly checks, annual servicing by a professional engineer, and an extended service or overhaul every five years – replacements are required immediately if they prove unsafe, faulty, or expired.
Summary
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 outlines the legal requirements for fire extinguishers
- Employers are considered ‘responsible persons’ to ensure fire safety within the workplace
- No one is legally mandated to use a fire extinguisher
- Responsible persons must nominate competent staff members for firefighting measures and ensure that those nominees have undergone training
- There are five main types of fire extinguishers to use
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance & Servicing in London
At FP Fire, we offer installation, servicing, and maintenance of all fire extinguisher types across London.
Our reliable team of highly experienced engineers ensure your fire safety equipment, including extinguishers, is correctly placed, certified, and 100% compliant with British Standards. Additionally, we provide annual maintenance in line with BS 5306 standards, testing and inspection, and staff training for correct use.
If you require expert fire extinguisher services, please contact us today!
FAQs:
Yes, fire extinguishers are a legal requirement in the UK under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for workplaces and most non-domestic buildings.
The rule ‘one fire, one extinguisher’ means that you should only ever attempt to fight a fire if it’s small enough to be put out with just one extinguisher. If it would take more than one extinguisher to put the fire out, the fire is too large to tackle, and you should evacuate immediately.
Fire extinguishers require monthly inspections by both a responsible person and a professional servicing engineer at least once a year.
The NHS operates like any other workplace, so the same rules apply. No individual is legally required to use a fire extinguisher, but staff are trained to ensure competent team members know how to use one if necessary.