S 1.7 Hand-held fire extinguishers

Initiation responsibility: Head of Site Technical Services; Fire Protection Officer

Implementation responsibility: Site Technical Services, Fire Protection Officer

Most fires arise from small sources of fire which initially are easy to keep under control. In offices, in particular, there is plenty of material to feed the fire and it can spread very quickly. Therefore, immediate fire-fighting is to be given a high priority.

Such immediate fire-fighting is only possible if enough sufficiently large hand-held fire extinguishers in the appropriate fire class (DIN EN 3) are available within the building (advice should be obtained from the local fire department). The aim must be to place them close to areas and rooms requiring protection, e.g. server room, room containing technical infrastructure equipment, document archives.

Water fire extinguishers that are suitable for fires of class A up to 1,000V are quite suitable for electrically operated equipment.

For electronically controlled devices, e.g. computers, carbon dioxide extinguishers (fire class B) should be provided. The extinguishing effect is achieved by driving out the oxygen, and therefore caution must be exercised when using these extinguishers in narrow, poorly ventilated rooms.

Dry powder extinguishers which cover fire classes A (solid substances), B (combustible liquids) and C (gases) should not be used in areas containing electrical and electronic equipment as the damage induced by the act of fire extinction is generally disproportionately high.

Fire extinguishers must be regularly checked and maintained. They must be mounted in such a way that they can be easily reached should they be needed during a fire. Employees should memorise the location of the nearest fire extinguisher. Locations of fire extinguishers and hydrants must be announced through mandatory signs. Portable fire extinguishers are permitted up to a gross weight of 20 kg. The devices used most commonly of 6 and 12 kg are capable of putting out larger sources of fire than is normally assumed by lay persons, but only when they are properly used. It takes only a few seconds to discharge an entire load of extinguishing medium. During fire drills, staff must be briefed on the use of hand-held fire extinguishers.

Additional controls:

• Have staff been informed of the location of hand-held fire extinguishers?

• Is the use of hand-held fire extinguishers practised?

• Can the hand-held fire extinguishers actually be accessed in case of a fire?

• Are hand-held fire extinguishers regularly inspected and maintained?