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Fire Extinguishers

In Scotland, workplaces are legally required to have an appropriate amount of Portable Fire Extinguishers, as part of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The specific number and type of extinguishers needed depends on the size and fire risks associated with the premises.

British Standards 5306 Part 8 gives guidance on the selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers, whereas British Standards 5306 Part 3 gives guidance on annual servicing and maintenance. 

So you have the extinguishers installed and are getting them serviced annually, you now need to ensure your staff have fire extinguisher training. Regulation 20 imposes obligations on an employer to ensure the employees have adequate fire safety training. 

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Fire Extinguisher Installation

Regulation 12 requires that Fire Extinguishers should be provided.

 

Compliance:

We can provide fire extinguisher supply, commissioning and proper location.   

 

BS 5306 Part 8  provides guidance on the selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers. It outlines best practices for choosing the right type of extinguisher based on fire hazards, and for ensuring extinguishers are readily visible and accessible. The standard is crucial for complying with fire safety regulations and ensuring effective fire protection in various premises. 

Competent Person:

 

  • Selection:

    BS 5306-8 helps determine the most appropriate type of fire extinguisher for different fire risks, considering factors like the type of fire (e.g., Class A, B, C, or electrical fires) and the environment where the extinguisher will be used. 

  • Positioning:

    The standard provides guidelines on where to place fire extinguishers to ensure they are easily accessible and visible in case of a fire. 

  • Signage:

    BS 5306-8 also addresses the need for clear and appropriate signage to indicate the location and type of fire extinguishers. 

  • Maintenance:

    While BS 5306-8 focuses on selection and positioning, it also refers to BS 5306-3 for guidance on the maintenance and servicing of fire extinguishers. 

  • Updates:

    The standard has been updated, with the latest version being BS 5306-8:2023, which includes expanded commentary on extinguishing media and collaboration between responsible persons and service providers. 

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Fire Extinguisher Servicing

Regulation 16 requires maintenance of the Fire Extinguishers.

 

Compliance:

We can arrange to have your new or existing extinguishers serviced and maintained.

 

BS 5306 Part 3 ensures the fire extinguishers are kept in an efficient working order

 

Basic servicing, extended servicing, recharging, and overhaul should all to be carried out by a competent person at recommended intervals. 

Key aspects of BS 5306-3 servicing:

 

Competent Person:

  • Servicing must be performed by a technician  who has completed an approved fire extinguisher training course 

  • Commissioning and Maintenance:

    BS 5306-3 outlines the procedures for commissioning new extinguishers and the subsequent maintenance schedule. 

  • Service Intervals:

    A basic service is recommended at least annually, with extended service or discharge testing required at 5-year intervals for most extinguishers and 10 years for CO2 extinguishers. 

  • Types of Service:

    BS 5306-3 details the procedures for basic service, extended service, recharge, and overhaul. 

  • Dutyholder:

    The individual responsible for fire safety in the premises must ensure proper maintenance is carried out. 

  • Record Keeping:

    A system should be in place to demonstrate that extinguishers are maintained according to the standard. 

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Fire Extinguisher Training

Regulation 20 requires employees to have
adequate Fire Safety Training
.

 

Compliance:

Our practical fire extinguisher training provides essential hands-on experience and involves learning the theory part and then outside using fire extinguishers to extinguish a live, but controlled, fire under supervision.

This type of training provides valuable experience in a safe environment, boosting confidence in handling real-life fire emergencies. 

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Cost -  £290 for the course for up to 8 people maximum

                         

Award - Certificate and CPD record of fire extinguisher 

Duration - 1 hour 10 minutes, of which 30 minutes are inside and 40 minutes outside​

Location - Your Premises 

Inside Room - A quiet room is required with an electrical socket & screen 

         

External Space - An available 5m x 5m external space is​ required at your premises to operate the fire extinguishers on the live fire training simulator (about 3 car parking spaces)​

​Propane gas environmentally friendly fire training simulator leaves no residue mess and​

produces no smoke.

We support ISO 14001.

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​​​​Dates - Contact us for availability

​Times - Either morning or afternoon (back to back courses available)

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​Minimum outcome reached for each candidate ; -​

 

  1. Explain the different classifications of fire

  2. Describe different types of fire extinguisher, the class of fire they may be used on and classes of fire not to be used on

  3. Understand how fire extinguishers extinguish fires by cooling, starving, smothering, disrupting

  4. Know how to operate fire extinguishers (PASS)

  5. Know where to locate, inspect and log the fire extinguishers. 

  6. Explain when safe to use a fire extinguisher (and when not to)

  7. How to physically operate fire extinguishers and to safely fight a fire – P.A.S.S.

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Fire Scotland  was Incorporated as a Private Limited Company by the Registrars of Scotland under the 1985 Companies Act in Edinburgh on the 18th of February 2008.​

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