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Fire breakouts are extremely hazardous. This is why fire extinguishers are placed in office buildings to ensure employees are equipped to deal with such situations. All extinguishers have to be strategically placed throughout the building to increase safety.
The number of fire extinguishers required in a building is based on its size, location and type. A fire risk assessment will determine the number and type of extinguishers required depending on these aspects. Here are the factors that matter and the experts at FireSafe discuss some important points of placing fire extinguishers in an office:
Layout & Size of The Room
Placement of Fire Extinguishers is governed by Australian Standard 2444 and the Building Code of Australia. A fire extinguisher should be placed every 15 metres for Class-A fires & every 20 metres for Class E & F fires. The layout and the square footage of a building will determine the number of extinguishers required.
The type of Business You Have
Higher risk businesses may require more extinguishers. For example, an office building will require fewer extinguishers than a paper processing plant, or a manufacturer of welded products or hazardous chemicals.
Presence of Any Flammable Liquids
If any gasses or flammable liquids are stored in large quantities, there has to be a fire extinguisher of a 10B rating placed within 15 metres of the container.
Stair Wells
Multistoried structures require a minimum of at least one fire extinguisher placed adjacent to the stairway.
There are 6 types of fire extinguishers that can be installed on company premises in Australia according to the different types of fire. This makes it important for companies to have the right type of extinguisher in their workplace. The 6 types of extinguishers are:
- Class A – These extinguishers are used mainly for fires that include carbonaceous solids such as paper, fabrics, plastics, rubber and wood-based products
- Class B – These types of extinguishers put out fires that are caused by flammable liquids. This could include chemical-based products, lubricants used for equipment or electrical contact cleaners.
- Class C – Class C extinguishers put out fires caused by flammable gases. It puts off the fires before any pressure builds up.
- Class D – These are used to put out fires that are started by combustible metals. Mostly used in laboratories.
- Class E – These extinguishers stop electrical fires, including equipment that requires a circuit to function.
- Class F – Class F extinguishers put out fires caused by cooking oil or fat based products.
Extinguishers will need to be inspected on a regular basis as per the Australian Standard.
Having these fire extinguishers located in your office space can help you deal with a number of different firesituation, and keep your employees safe from harm. For more information call FireSafe today.