A properly installed and maintained fire extinguisher is the first line of defence in case of a fire; it can help to contain a small fire before it grows into a large one and in most cases, a fire can be put out with a fire extinguisher before it has a chance to spread. It is important to have fire extinguishers installed and maintained to ensure the safety of your employees and your property.

Different types of fire extinguishers are designed to put out different types of fires, so it is important to choose the right type of fire extinguisher for your workplace based on the potential fire hazards. Here at NPG Fire Safety, we will conduct a thorough site survey to ensure you have the correct fire extinguishers for your requirements and that they all comply with current regulations.

The most common types of fire extinguishers are:

• Class A: for fires involving paper, wood, and other combustible materials.
• Class B: for fires involving flammable liquids like petrol or oil.
• Class C: for fires involving gases
• Class D: for fires involving metals
• Class F: for fires involving cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) in cooking appliances
• Special class: for fires involving electrical equipment

When installing fire extinguishers, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as well as the current fire regulations. Here are just a few general guidelines we follow at NPG to maintain compliance and ensure the effectiveness of the fire extinguishers installed.

• Commissioned by a competent fire extinguisher technician
• Located in the correct assigned place.
• Unobstructed, and visible, with its operating instructions facing outwards.
• Has operating instructions which are clear, clean, and legible.
• No obvious damage.
• Has seals, pins, and tamper indicators that are not missing or broken.

Fire extinguishers should be visually inspected monthly by the client or a third-party company like NPG Fire Safety. They should be serviced annually, most extinguishers should have an extended service (emptied out and refilled) every 5 years, with CO2 extinguishers pressure tested every 10 years.

Here at NPG Fire Safety, we understand that fire extinguishers are an essential part of workplace safety. They can help to prevent fires from growing out of control, which can save lives and property. By choosing the right type of fire extinguisher for your workplace which is properly installed, and maintained regularly by us, you can help to ensure the safety of your employees and your property.