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Fire safety is crucial in a commercial environment as it helps prevent and mitigate the consequences of fire incidents, which can result in property damage, injury, or loss of life. Implementing proper fire safety measures and procedures can help minimize the risk of fire, reduce the spread of fire and smoke, and ensure a safe evacuation of the building in the event of a fire.

Types of Fire Extinguishers and Where to Use Them

There are several types of fire extinguishers, each designed to tackle different classes of fire:

• Water Extinguishers (Class A): Used on fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, or textiles.
• Foam Extinguishers (Class A and B): Used on fires involving flammable liquids and gases as well as ordinary combustibles.
• Dry Chemical Extinguishers (Class B and C): Used on fires involving flammable liquids and gases and electrical equipment.
• Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers (Class B and C): Used on fires involving flammable liquids and electrical equipment.

Wet Chemical Extinguishers (Class K): Used on fires involving cooking oils and fats in commercial kitchens.

It is important to match the type of fire extinguisher with the type of fire it is intended to fight, as using the wrong type of extinguisher can make the fire worse or even cause harm. It is also important to place fire extinguishers in easily accessible locations and ensure that building occupants know how to use them.

The Importance of Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Servicing

Servicing fire extinguishers is essential to ensure their proper functioning in the event of a fire. Regular maintenance and inspections can detect and repair any malfunctions or damages before they become critical. Some of the reasons why it is important to service fire extinguishers are:

• Compliance with regulations: Most countries have regulations that require fire extinguishers to be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are in proper working order. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties and legal liability.
• Ensure reliability: Regular maintenance and inspections can detect and repair any malfunctions or damages before they become critical, ensuring that the fire extinguisher will work when needed.
• Protect lives and property: Fire extinguishers are critical components of a fire safety system and can help prevent or mitigate the consequences of a fire incident.
• Extend lifespan: Regular maintenance and inspection can help extend the lifespan of fire extinguishers, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
• Maintaining pressure: Fire extinguishers must be kept at a certain pressure to function properly. Regular maintenance can help ensure that the pressure is maintained and that the fire extinguisher is ready for use when needed.

Therefore, it is important to schedule regular servicing of fire extinguishers to ensure they are always in good working condition and ready to use in the event of a fire.

UK Fire Safety Regulations

In the United Kingdom, the primary legislation for fire safety is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This order places a legal responsibility on the "responsible person" to ensure that fire safety measures are in place.

The responsibilities of the responsible person include conducting a fire risk assessment, putting in place fire safety measures, having an evacuation plan, providing fire safety training for employees, and ensuring that fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, are properly installed, maintained and tested.

Additionally, the order requires the responsible person to keep records of the fire safety measures in place and to review and update the fire risk assessment regularly. The order also requires the responsible person to cooperate with the fire and rescue services to ensure that they have access to the building in the event of an emergency.

Penalties for non-compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 can include fines and imprisonment, and can also result in civil claims in the event of injury or death resulting from a fire,

Why Contact Hartson Fire

Hartson Fire is a fire safety company based in South Wales. We offer a range of fire safety products and services, including fire extinguishers, fire blankets, trolleys and stands plus a range of covers and cabinets.

Our goal is to help businesses and organizations meet their legal obligation for fire safety and to ensure the safety of their employees and customers in the event of a fire. We offer a comprehensive fire extinguisher servicing with a team of experienced engineers and  who can advise on the best fire safety measures for a particular building and provide installation, maintenance, and repair services.

Importantly we are certified by the relevant authorities and organizations, including BAFE, which is the leading third-party certification body for the fire protection industry in the United Kingdom.

For further advice and guidance, call a member of the Hartson Fire team on the number below: