S 1.7 Hand-held fire extinguishers

Initiation responsibility: Fire Safety Engineer, Building Services Manager

Implementation responsibility: Building Services, Fire Safety Engineer

Most fires start from small sources of fire that are easy to control at first. Offices in particular contain an abundance of materials that can feed the flames and allow them to spread very quickly. For this reason, it is very important to start fighting the fire immediately.

However, the fire can only be fought immediately if a sufficient number of properly sized hand-held fire extinguishers with the fire class required (DIN EN 3, Portable fire extinguishers) are available in the building (the local fire department can assist you in this regard). Moreover, the maintenance proof of each fire extinguisher must be checked regularly to assure that the extinguishers are regularly inspected and serviced so that they function properly in case of emergency.

Water fire extinguishers suitable for Class A fires are perfectly suited for use on electrical devices operated at voltages up to 1000 V.

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers (fire class B) should be primarily available for electronically controlled devices such as computers. The extinguishing effect is achieved by displacing the oxygen in the air, and therefore care must be taken when used in small, poorly ventilated rooms.

Dry powder fire extinguishers, which cover Class A (combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids), and Class C (gases) fires, should not be used in areas containing electrical and electronic devices because the damage resulting from the extinguishing agent is generally disproportionately high. It is therefore strongly recommended to place only suitable gas fire extinguishers in the immediate vicinity of server rooms, data media archives, rooms for technical infrastructure, or computer centres instead of dry powder fire extinguishers. This prevents accidental use of a dry powder fire extinguisher in the confusion created by a fire.

The fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced regularly. The fire extinguishers must be mounted so that they are easy to access in case of a fire. The employees should memorise the location of the nearest fire extinguisher. The locations of extinguishers and hydrants must be indicated using the corresponding mandatory signs. Portable fire extinguishers with a total weight of up to 20 kg are allowed. The most commonly used extinguishers ranging from 6 to 12 kg can extinguish much larger fires than people normally would think, but only when used properly because the extinguishing agent is completely discharged within a few seconds. For this reason, employees must be instructed in the use of hand-held fire extinguishers during corresponding fire drills, and the operation of the fire extinguishers must be practised.

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