Fire extinguishers should be regularly serviced and to ensure they remain in good working order and function correctly should they be needed. Legally, it is the responsibility of a business owner and part of the role of the responsible individual for a building to ensure that extinguishers are serviced in accordance to the BS 5306-3:2017. This does not apply to maintenance-free P50 fire extinguishers.
It is important to ensure that the right fire extinguisher is used according to the accelerant that caused the fire. Rather than extinguishing the fire, using the wrong fire extinguisher can make a fire worse. For example, using a water based extinguisher on a fire started by cooking fat in a kitchen will cause the fire to spread further and may place lives at risk.
At Tecserv UK we can help you adhere to your regulatory obligations and record your inspections so that your business is compliant with British Standards. To help ease this burden we have a range of fire extinguisher maintenance packages that mean all of your fire extinguishers can be inspected and serviced.
The recommendation is that all fire extinguishers should have a monthly visual inspection which should be documented in a log book. Furthermore, the fire extinguisher should be inspected and certified every 12 months by a BAFE Approved fire protection equipment company like Tecserv UK.
In addition, it is important that fire extinguishers are located in the right areas, with operating instructions positioned outwards.
In addition, appointing a BAFE approved company will help you ensure compliance with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, or ‘FSO’ for short. This legislation was introduced to provide a minimum safety standard for all non-domestic buildings. It designates responsibility for fire safety to a responsible individual(s), depending on the size and location of each location.
Our mission is to protect people, processes and property. In doing so we help our customers to also protect their brand and their profits.
Most of us want to run a commercial or industrial business safely and securely. Achieving this means having the best in fire protection and security equipment and the support of a trustworthy maintenance and installation company like Tecserv UK.
Ultimately, we provide you with peace of mind – best fit solutions, reliable maintenance and support, fair and clear pricing structures.
Tecserv UK Ltd act as consultants to the insurance industry and to those responsible for Britain’s heritage buildings, including English Heritage and The National Trust so your protection is in safe hands.
Every five years most fire extinguishers need an extended service. This means completely discharging the extinguisher, checking for internal corrosion, refilling and repressurising to ensure the pressure gauge shows an accurate reading.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers need an extended service every 10 years. This involves a hydrostatic pressure test, to comply with pressure vessel legislation and a new valve. Most fire extinguisher servicing engineers will supply a ‘service exchange’ (refurbished) unit due to the onerous requirements of this process. It can be cheaper to purchase a new extinguisher.
The following table outlines the recommended service schedule for the following fire extinguishers. The responsible person should ensure these schedules are maintained.
Please note Tecserv UK only operate within the United Kingdom – any work outside of this region cannot be considered.
