Fire extinguisher supply and installation
We look at your premises, recommend the extinguishers you need and where they should go, then supply, install and commission them on site. Every extinguisher we supply is kitemarked to BS EN 3.
The right extinguishers in the right places
Different fires need different extinguishers, and using the wrong one can make a fire worse. Before we supply anything, we look at what’s in your building and how it’s used: offices full of paper and electrical equipment need something different from a commercial kitchen or a workshop with flammable liquids.
The selection and siting of portable extinguishers is covered by BS 5306-8, which takes into account the floor area, the types of fire risk present, and how far anyone would have to go to reach an extinguisher. We use it to recommend the number, type and position of each one, and install to BS 5306.
Which extinguisher for which fire
| Type | Label colour | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Red | Paper, wood, textiles (Class A). Not for electrical equipment or burning liquids. |
| Foam | Cream | Class A materials and flammable liquids (Class B). |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | Black | Electrical equipment and flammable liquids. Often sited next to server and comms equipment. |
| Dry powder | Blue | Several classes of fire, including flammable gases. Best outdoors or in garages and plant rooms, as the powder affects visibility and breathing indoors. |
| Wet chemical | Yellow | Cooking oil and fat fires (Class F) in kitchens. |
Since 1997, extinguisher bodies in the UK are red, with a coloured band or label showing the type. We’ll explain what each of yours is for when we install them.
What installation includes
- A look at your premises and a recommendation of what you need
- Supply of new extinguishers, kitemarked to BS EN 3
- Wall brackets or stands, fitted at the right height and position
- Commissioning on site, so each extinguisher is ready for use from the day it’s installed
- A 12-month warranty on new extinguishers
- Certification for your records, and a reminder when the first service is due
Extinguishers should be easy to find. If you need identification signs or fire action notices as well, we can supply and fit those too.
After installation
New extinguishers need the same care as old ones: a monthly look by someone on site, and a service by a competent person at least once a year under BS 5306-3. We record the installation date and contact you before the first service is due. See fire extinguisher servicing for what a service involves.
Common questions
How many extinguishers do we need?
It depends on the size of the building, the number of floors, the fire risks in each area and how far people would have to go to reach one. BS 5306-8 sets out how to work it out. As a rule, every floor needs cover, and areas with particular risks, such as kitchens or electrical rooms, need the right type close by.
Can we buy extinguishers and fit them ourselves?
You can, but an extinguisher has to be the right type, in the right place, and commissioned properly to be relied on. If you buy your own, have them checked and commissioned by a competent person, and keep them serviced.
Need help with extinguisher supply and installation?
Tell us what’s due, and we’ll take it from there.