Having the right amount of fire extinguishers on your premises is an important part of ensuring your business is safe. You must have an extinguisher at each entrance, on each floor, and on escape routes. It is a good idea to have your extinguishers professionally inspected each year. In addition, it is a good idea to have clear signage to help people understand how to use the extinguishers, and what types of fires they can be used on. The number of fire extinguishers you should have varies based on the size of your premises. If you have a large factory, with a variety of ignition sources, you may have to have several fire extinguishers. Similarly, if you have a multi-story restaurant, the number of fire extinguishers you need may be different.
Fire extinguishers are rated according to their ability to fight a particular type of fire. For example, you may have a Class B or Class C extinguisher on your property. This means that it can be used on flammable liquids, electrical equipment, or combustible metals. However, if you have a Class A or Class D hazard, it is likely that you need a larger extinguisher.
To figure out how many fire extinguishers you need, you first need to assess your business’s risk. During this process, you will identify your fuel and ignition sources. You should then decide whether or not there is a need for a specialist extinguisher, such as a CO2 extinguisher. If you decide that you need a CO2 extinguisher, you should place it in a location near exits.
NFPA, OSHA, and local codes have all imposed certain requirements for the amount of fire extinguishers that are required. There is a rule of thumb that the minimum number of extinguishers you should have is two. Each floor of your building should have a minimum of two ‘Class A’ extinguishers. One of these must be located in a stairwell.
A good rule of thumb for determining how many fire extinguishers you should have is to divide the total square footage of your building into 200. In this way, you will know how many extinguishers you need.
Alternatively, you can use British Standard 5306-8 guidance. This document outlines the number of extinguishers that are required, and provides formulas for calculating how many Class A and Class B extinguishers you should have. Also, you should consider how much work is being done on your premises. Whether it is a small shop, office, or commercial kitchen, you will need to determine how many fire extinguishers are needed.
Once you have determined how many fire extinguishers you have, you must check their condition and replace them when necessary. This will ensure your facility is in compliance with local codes. Depending on the extinguisher you have, it may need to be recharged regularly. As with other building components, it is a good idea to have your extinguisher inspected annually.
Fire extinguishers should be placed in such a way that they are easy to access. Your employees should be able to reach them when an emergency arises. Ideally, they should be within a 30-metre range.