Table 5 Class of fire
| Quick Links: | Index | Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 4 | Ch 5 | Ch 6 | Ch 7 | Ch 8 | Ch 9 | Ch 10 | Ch 11 | Definitions | References |
202. A small fire tackled with fire-fighting equipment in the early stages may be prevented from developing into a fire of life-threatening proportions. Fire-fighting equipment can fall into one of two categories; either (a) it is designed for use by persons, such as portable fire extinguishers or (b) it is a fixed installation, such as a sprinkler system which comes into operation automatically in the event of fire.
Fire-fighting Equipment For Use By Persons
203. Portable fire-fighting equipment should be provided in premises for use by staff or other relevant persons, such as tenants, where appropriate. Fire-fighting equipment can be used to prevent a small fire developing into a large one. The safe use of an appropriate fire extinguisher to control a fire in its early stages can also reduce the risk to people in the premises.
204. For the purpose of selecting fire extinguishers, fires generated by different materials can be classified as in the following table:
Table 5 Class of fire
205. A Water Extinguisher (Red body) can only be used on Class A fires. It allows the user to direct water onto a fire from a considerable distance. This type of extinguisher is not suitable for use on live electrical equipment because water is a conductor of electricity.
206. A Water Extinguisher with Additives (Red body) is suitable for Class A fires and can also be suitable for use on Class B fires and where appropriate, this will be indicated on the extinguisher. This type is generally more efficient than conventional water extinguishers.
207. A Foam Extinguisher (Red body with cream label/band) can be used on Class A or B fires and is particularly suited to extinguishing liquid fires. It should not be used on free-flowing liquid fires unless the operator has been specially trained, as these have the potential to rapidly spread the fire to adjacent material. This type of extinguisher is not suitable for deep-fat fryers or chip pans.
208. A Powder Extinguisher (Red body with blue label/band) can be used on most classes of fire and achieve a good ‘knock down’ of the fire. It can be used on fires involving electrical equipment but may damage the equipment. Since powder does not cool a fire appreciably, it should be noted that the fire may re-ignite.
209. A Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguisher (Red body with black label/band) can be used on Class B fires and is particularly suitable for fires involving electrical equipment as it is a non-conductor. As with all fires involving electrical equipment, the power should be disconnected if possible. The loud noise accompanying discharge and the freezing effect on the discharge horn of this extinguisher can startle operators. It should be noted that CO2 may not cool a fire appreciably and the fire may therefore re-ignite.
210. A fire blanket may be used to smother a small fire involving oil or fat and so are often best located in kitchens.
211. Staff should not be expected to attempt to extinguish a fire without training. Where fire-fighting equipment is provided, a suitable number of staff should be trained in its use.
212. The fire safety risk assessment should take particular cognisance of fire-fighting equipment and its use in premises which are not usually staffed. The law indicates that in some circumstances, competent persons should implement fire-fighting measures and, in this regard, it may not be reasonable to expect all persons, in all categories of premises and circumstances, to receive specific training on the use of fire-fighting equipment (fire extinguishers or fire blankets). Such persons may include guests staying in a holiday cottage or within a bed and breakfast type establishment for relatively short periods of time. Similarly, it may not be practicable for all persons resident for longer periods, for example within an HMO, to receive such training.
213. However, if, as a result of the fire safety risk assessment, it is ascertained that persons on the premises should be permitted to tackle a small fire where they consider it safe to do so, then an appropriate level of instruction should be provided for them. For example, this may involve the provision of written instructions for residents in leased holiday home accommodation advising them to familiarise themselves with the location of fire-fighting equipment and the operating instructions on the equipment. Alternatively, it may involve identifying, where appropriate, a limited number of residents/tenants to fulfil a basic fire marshalling role, such as in certain HMO accommodation. The overall aims are to ensure that a small fire does not become large enough to endanger life safety.
214. The following are benchmarks against which existing provision can be compared
215. Although the final number of portable fire extinguishers should be determined by the outcome of the fire safety risk assessment, one or two of the appropriate type, readily available for use, may be all that is necessary. They can be positioned on escape routes, close to room or storey exits or, if necessary, adjacent to hazards. It can be good practice to group extinguishers together in fire points at a similar position on each floor. However, for small premises, multi-purpose powder extinguishers capable of covering a range of risks, may be appropriate. They should be placed on a dedicated stand or hung on a wall at a convenient height (at about 1 m for larger extinguishers, 1.5 m for smaller ones, to the level of the handle).They should also be within the handling capabilities of staff or other relevant persons, such as tenants, who may be called upon to use them. It may also be necessary to indicate the location of extinguishers by suitable signs.
216. Extinguishers are red and may have a colour-coded area, sited above or within the instructions and denoting the type of extinguisher. Older extinguishers which have been manufactured with the body of the extinguisher painted entirely in a single colour remain acceptable until they are no longer serviceable. Information on the selection and installation of fire extinguishers is contained in BS 5306: Part 8.
Automatic Life Safety Sprinkler Systems
217. Automatic life safety sprinkler systems operate automatically on detection of an outbreak of fire within the building to inhibit the spread of fire. Water is discharged from the individual sprinkler head which has detected heat from the fire, other sprinkler heads remain closed. It may limit fire growth and extend the time taken for untenable conditions to develop outside the room involved in fire giving more time to evacuate, particularly in cases where fire separation, fire spread on internal linings or travel distance may be a concern or where guests, residents or tenants are particularly vulnerable or have limited mobility.
218. Where the installation of an automatic life safety sprinkler system is proposed, any such system should be designed and installed in accordance with BS 9251 and BS DD 252. Advice should always be sought from a qualified fire engineer.