NEBOSH Certificate Courses Sample

Element 4: Fire Protection in Buildings Portable Fire-Fighting Equipment

Topic Focus

Portable fire extinguishers are made up of the following main parts: •

Container (some form of cylinder).

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Extinguishing medium, e.g. water.

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Discharge/operating valve.

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Hose (or horn) for directing the discharge.

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Points to consider when positioning portable fire extinguishers: •

Some form of pressurisation system to propel the extinguishing medium out of the cylinder:

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– Stored pressure (i.e. kept under constant pressure). – Pressurising cartridge (which, when punctured, releases a gas which pressurises the cylinder).

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Place in conspicuous positions, clearly indicated, along escape routes and near exit doors. Where possible group with other extinguishers into a “fire point”. Mount properly with the top around 1 m off the ground, or stand on a base plate. Locate special extinguishers, such as for Class D metal fires, close to their respective risk. Site extinguishers in multi-storey occupancies at a similar location on each floor. Avoid placing them in locations where there are extremes of temperature or corrosive environments.

When deciding how many extinguishers are needed, there is a system of extinguisher ratings which describe the ability of the extinguisher to do its job. This can be used along with floor area or likely spillage of flammable liquid to determine the number of extinguishers required. The maintenance requirements for portable fire extinguishers involve a system of checks: Pressure gauge on cylinder 

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The cylinder body is coloured red but the UK also uses an additional colour-coded label, depending on the contents: •

Water (red).

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Foam (cream).

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Carbon dioxide (black).

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Dry powder (blue).

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Wet chemical (yellow).

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Monthly visual inspection to ensure the extinguisher:

– Is still where it is supposed to be. – Access is not obstructed. – Has not been discharged, lost pressure or suffered damage. Basic annual service carried out by a competent person to include: – An internal check of the extinguisher contents, any internal corrosion, the means of pressurisation. – Checks on hoses for blockages and on the working of any internal mechanisms. Extended service or overhaul: – Testing the intended operation of the extinguisher by discharging the contents, generally every 5 years (10 years for primary sealed powder type). – For carbon dioxide extinguishers an overhaul every 10 years to test discharge and also a pressure test of the extinguisher body.

Unit FC1 – Element 4 | 4-22

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