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FIRE EXTINGUISHER SERVICING
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Fire Extinguisher Servicing, Testing & Supply
Fire extinguishers form an important part of many workplace fire-safety arrangements — but they need to be correctly selected, positioned and maintained. City PAT provides fire extinguisher servicing, testing and supply for businesses and commercial premises throughout the UK.
Why Do Fire Extinguishers Need Servicing?
Fire extinguishers can deteriorate over time even when they have never been used.
Potential problems include:
- pressure loss
- damaged hoses
- corrosion
- missing safety pins or tamper seals
- damaged operating mechanisms
- poor signage
- incorrect positioning
- extinguishers reaching extended-service requirements
Routine inspection and servicing helps identify these issues before an extinguisher is needed in an emergency.
How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Serviced?
Portable fire extinguishers are generally subject to a basic service annually in accordance with relevant maintenance recommendations.
Additional or extended servicing intervals depend on extinguisher type.
Fire-safety guidance also commonly identifies annual maintenance as the expected servicing frequency for portable extinguishing equipment.
What is BS 5306-3?
BS 5306-3 is the British Standard covering commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.
It provides guidance around areas such as:
- maintenance
- inspection
- servicing
- extinguisher condition
- replacement
- extended servicing
The purpose is to help ensure extinguishers remain fit for use throughout their service life.
What Does a Fire Extinguisher Service Include?
Depending on the extinguisher and service required, an inspection may consider:
- extinguisher type and location
- accessibility
- operating instructions
- pressure indication
- safety devices
- seals
- hose and horn condition
- corrosion or physical damage
- weight or contents where applicable
- service history
- signage
- whether extended servicing is due
Where minor issues can be appropriately addressed during servicing, this may help prevent unnecessary replacement.
If equipment needs further action or replacement, this can be clearly identified.
Do Businesses Have to Provide Fire Extinguishers?
The fire precautions required for an individual premises should be determined through its Fire Risk Assessment and applicable fire-safety requirements.
In England and Wales, the Fire Safety Order requires the Responsible Person to assess fire risks and put appropriate general fire precautions in place. This includes measures relating to means of fighting fire where necessary.
The number, type and location of extinguishers should therefore reflect the actual risks within the building.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing for Multiple Sites
For organisations managing more than one site, City PAT can help coordinate recurring extinguisher servicing across your property portfolio.
This can help facilities and compliance teams manage:
- asset records
- service dates
- faults
- replacements
- multi-site scheduling
Different Types of Fire Extinguisher
Different extinguishing media are designed for different types of fire.
Common extinguisher types include:
- water
- foam
- CO₂
- dry powder
- wet chemical
It is important that extinguisher provision reflects the hazards within the premises rather than simply installing the same type everywhere.
What is BS 5306-3?
BS 5306-3 is the British Standard covering commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.
It provides guidance around areas such as:
- maintenance
- inspection
- servicing
- extinguisher condition
- replacement
- extended servicing
The purpose is to help ensure extinguishers remain fit for use throughout their service life.
What Does a Fire Extinguisher Service Include?
Depending on the extinguisher and service required, an inspection may consider:
- extinguisher type and location
- accessibility
- operating instructions
- pressure indication
- safety devices
- seals
- hose and horn condition
- corrosion or physical damage
- weight or contents where applicable
- service history
- signage
- whether extended servicing is due
Where minor issues can be appropriately addressed during servicing, this may help prevent unnecessary replacement.
If equipment needs further action or replacement, this can be clearly identified.
Do Businesses Have to Provide Fire Extinguishers?
The fire precautions required for an individual premises should be determined through its Fire Risk Assessment and applicable fire-safety requirements.
In England and Wales, the Fire Safety Order requires the Responsible Person to assess fire risks and put appropriate general fire precautions in place. This includes measures relating to means of fighting fire where necessary.
The number, type and location of extinguishers should therefore reflect the actual risks within the building.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing for Multiple Sites
For organisations managing more than one site, City PAT can help coordinate recurring extinguisher servicing across your property portfolio.
This can help facilities and compliance teams manage:
- asset records
- service dates
- faults
- replacements
- multi-site scheduling
Book Fire Extinguisher Servicing
Need an annual extinguisher service, replacement equipment or help coordinating several business sites?
Contact City PAT today for a free quotation.
FAQ'S
Professional basic servicing is generally carried out annually, although other inspections and extended servicing requirements also apply.
Routine workplace checks are good practice. Obvious problems such as missing extinguishers, damage, obstruction or discharged units should be reported immediately
No. Requirements vary depending on the extinguisher type, age and condition.
City PAT lists fire extinguisher service, testing and supply as part of its existing safety-compliance services.
No. Fire extinguishers are one part of the overall fire-safety arrangements considered during a Fire Risk Assessment.