Fire extinguishers are a small but crucial part of any fire safety plan in any environment. They save hundreds of lives and homes each year yet most of us are unaware of what the regulations surrounding them are.
Does every home and business need a fire extinguisher? This blog will unpack the legislation surrounding fire extinguishers and explain which buildings require these life-saving tools.
Does My Business Need a Fire Extinguisher?
In England and Wales, all fire safety legislation for non-domestic buildings is covered by the RRO or Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The RRO states that proper fire-fighting equipment, including portable fire extinguishers, should be provided where there’s a fire risk.
In more detail, this requires all premises with electrical equipment (which covers most commercial premises) to have at least 2kg CO2 extinguishers, 5kg if there is a 415-Volt rated equipment. This number can also vary depending on the size of the area that needs to be protected and whether the business is classed as low or high risk. Buildings with automatic suppression or a sprinkler system in place tend to require fewer extinguishers.
Overall, as a business and property owner, you have a level of duty and responsibility for the safety of your employees. Fire extinguishers save lives in the event of a fire therefore it is a legal requirement to have at least one in your commercial building.
Does My Home Need a Fire Extinguisher?
Although fire extinguishers are required in almost all commercial and industrial buildings, they are not mandated in family homes therefore builders tend not to install them.
However, it is important to keep in mind that with so much combustible material in the average home, a fire can become out of control in less than three minutes.
By having an easily accessible fire extinguisher in your family home, you are ensuring that you and your family are protected by one of the most effective pieces of fire safety equipment you can install just in case an accident does happen.
If you are a landlord responsible for a residential building, you have the legal duty to protect your tenants from fire through the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This means that you must provide and maintain any provisions, like fire extinguishers, put in place. The law requires there to be at least one fire extinguisher on each floor of a residential building and at least one fire blanket in every kitchen.
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