Having the right fire extinguishers on hand is an important fire safety measure for any UK business. Fire extinguishers can stop small fires before they spread, prevent injury and property damage, and allow people to evacuate safely. 

Fires in businesses are a major concern across the UK. There were 10,052 fires in workplaces during 2022/23. These workplace fires cause multiple worker injuries and fatalities annually, while also resulting in tremendous financial losses from building, inventory, machinery, data and revenue damages. 

Top causes include faulty electrical equipment and wiring, improper chemical storage and handling, lack of fire suppression systems, and inadequate employee training. Implementing strong fire prevention and response plans that follow UK regulations is crucial for all enterprises to protect their staff, property, and continuity of operations from catastrophic fires. Taking a proactive approach to fire safety makes good business sense.

This article will discuss what classes of fire extinguishers businesses should have available based on UK fire codes and safety best practices.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers are a first line of defence in case of a small fire. They are manually operated, allowing employees to quickly respond to control and extinguish a fire before it gets out of hand. UK businesses should have the appropriate type and size fire extinguisher for the classes of fires most likely to occur.  

Class A Extinguishers for Ordinary Combustibles

Class A fire extinguishers are filled with water or foam. They extinguish fires involving ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, cloth, rubbish and plastics. Nearly all UK businesses will benefit from having multiple Class A portable fire extinguishers clearly visible and readily accessible. They can be used by employees to safely put out fires in wastepaper baskets, printers and copiers, furniture and other standard combustibles when detected early.

Class B Extinguishers for Flammable Liquids

Class B fire extinguishers are filled with dry chemicals. They designed to put out fires involving flammable liquids such as cooking oils, machine oils, petrol or diesel. Class B extinguishers are especially vital for UK warehouses, factories, garages and other locations with larger amounts of flammable liquids on site. Trained workers should use them to extinguish fires involving substances like lubricants before they grow out of control.

Class C Extinguishers for Electrical Equipment

Class C fire extinguishers are also filled with non-conductive dry chemicals. However, they specifically formulated to safely extinguish fires in “live” energised electrical equipment. The fine mist spray does not conduct electricity back to the operator. Every UK business containing computers, machinery and other valuable electrical equipment should be outfitted with Class C extinguishers marked for electrical fires. They allow employees to safely combat blazes in appliances, circuit breakers, wiring and servers when caught early.

Class D Extinguishers for Combustible Metals

Lastly, Class D fire extinguishers contain dry powder agents like graphite or sodium chloride. They are specifically design for putting out combustible metal fires fuell by magnesium, potassium, sodium and other elemental metals. Businesses working with these reactive metals should have special Class D extinguishers on hand so that workers can control small fires before metals release enough heat to ignite nearby combustibles. 

Fire Extinguisher Placement

In addition to purchasing the right types of fire extinguishers, businesses must also follow proper placement guidelines per British fire safety regulations. There are general best practices to keep in mind:

• Mount extinguishers with top handles 1 to 1.5 metres above floor level for easy accessibility. Be sure they are accessible to people of all heights and abilities. For multi-floor buildings, place them on each level for the best coverage and response times. Hallways and stair landings are ideal locations.
• Place units near exits and common pathways with signs indicating their presence. Use high contrast signs that are easily visible and marked with the fire extinguisher’s class letter to show which type it is. Signs must be properly reflective or illuminated to aid visibility in dark, power loss conditions.
• Keep extinguishers visible and unobstructed at all times. Conduct routine facility walkthroughs to check for extinguishers hidden behind temporary storage, stacked pallets, or other workplace obstructions. Make sure employees are not covering or blocking them with posters, artwork, temporary cables, or decorations.
• Install units so travel distance to the nearest extinguisher is less than 30 metres in general office areas and less than 10 metres in high-risk areas. Measure out and plot proper spacings when wall-mounting new extinguishers or inspecting present coverages. Rearrange existing units as needed to match safe distance allowances for all occupied spaces.

Following these guidelines allows fast access when seconds count.

Fire Extinguisher Inspections and Replacements

Another key responsibility is periodically inspecting, testing and maintaining fire extinguishers to verify that they remain functional per British standards. All extinguishers need thorough maintenance checks every year at a minimum, which may involve pressure testing or parts replacement if needed.  

Businesses should immediately replace any damaged, corroded or expired fire extinguishers. Units that have fully or partially discharged also need replacements to restore full firefighting capacity. Staying on top of all inspections and replacements guarantees portable units will operate properly in an emergency.

Work with a Fire Safety Solutions Partner

Partnering with a qualified fire safety solutions company like https://lucidfiresecurity.co.uk is one of the best investments a business can make. Experienced providers offer comprehensive services to fully cover your fire protection needs. They can assess your facilities, identify risks, recommend appropriate extinguishers and systems, oversee installations, provide staff training, and handle all required inspections and maintenance. 

Working with experts ensures full compliance with the latest fire codes while also creating personalised plans for your building, equipment, operations, and employees. Custom solutions maximise fire prevention, fast response capabilities, and life safety. With responsible financial plans available, teaming with fire safety pros delivers essential peace of mind that your business and people prepared for a crisis.

Ignoring UK fire safety laws or failing to provide adequate portable extinguishers carries penalties. Protect people and property by purchasing the right fire extinguishers for your UK business type and location. Maintain units properly so they suppress fires in those critical first minutes. Your proactive fire protection makes employees safer and shows customers you prioritise their wellbeing.