Siting of Extinguishers

Extinguishers should be located in conspicuous positions, available at all times for immediate use and fitted on brackets or stands where they will be readily seen by persons following an escape route. Fire extinguishers should be securely hung on wall brackets. Where this is impractical extinguishers should be located on suitable stands (not on the floor).

If wall mounted the carrying handle of larger, heavier extinguishers should be 1 metre from the floor but smaller extinguishers should be mounted so that the carrying handle is 1.5 metres from the floor. Extinguishers should be sited in such a way that it is not necessary to travel more than 30 metres from the site of a fire to reach an extinguisher.

To avoid confusion and simplify staff training, all extinguishers installed in any one building or single occupancy should preferably use the same method to acrivate the extinguisher (e.g. squeeze grip).

If different extinguisher types(i.e. Water, Foam, CO2. Dry Powder) are installed a suitable sign providing instruction on the correct use of each extinguisher should be located adjacent the corresponding extinguisher. Our "Know your Extinguisher" sign provides these details on one sign for economy and convenience.

Wherever possible, portable extinguishers should be grouped to form a fire point so employess can more easily locate them in an emergency .