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Annual fire extinguisher servicing is a critical part of workplace fire safety in the UK. It must be carried out by a competent person or a qualified fire extinguisher technician, ensuring all fire suppression equipment—whether water, foam, powder, or CO2 extinguishers—functions correctly when needed. Regular professional servicing ensures compliance with UK fire safety legislation, specifically the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO), and follows the requirements of British Standard BS 5306-3. This not only protects your business from escalating fire risks but also from legal penalties.
TL;DR: Annual fire extinguisher servicing must be performed by a competent person/qualified technician. Monthly visual checks by staff are helpful but do not replace the mandatory annual service for any extinguisher type.
As a 'Responsible Person' under the RRO 2005, business owners or designated individuals are legally required to ensure fire safety equipment, including portable fire extinguishers, is maintained in efficient working order. This typically means annual servicing by a competent person, as defined by BS 5306-3.
Documentation is essential: maintain records of all servicing and maintenance. Each extinguisher must have a service label with the date and technician’s details. Poor record-keeping or neglect can lead to enforcement action by the Fire and Rescue Service.
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Annual servicing MUST be performed by a competent person. This is typically a fire extinguisher technician who is trained and certified by organisations such as BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) or the FIA (Fire Industry Association), and who works in accordance with BS 5306-3 standards. Regular employees cannot perform this official annual service unless specifically trained and certified as competent.
Fire extinguishers require technical expertise for proper maintenance. Professionals are trained to spot issues missed by untrained eyes and carry out necessary maintenance procedures. Properly maintained fire extinguishers can prevent many small fires from becoming major incidents. Professional maintenance is about effective fire prevention and protection, ensuring your fire extinguishers work when needed.
Competent technicians conduct a comprehensive examination in accordance with BS 5306-3. Professional servicing includes verifying extinguishers are:
Technicians will assess external condition and internal components as required by the service schedule.
Implement regular monthly visual checks by trained employees as part of your fire safety routine. These supplement the annual professional service and are good practice under the RRO.
Train your team to check for:
Document these checks, for instance, in a fire logbook. They don't replace the required annual professional servicing but enhance day-to-day fire safety. Combining monthly checks and annual servicing as part of their fire risk assessments creates a robust fire safety management system.
Annual servicing is part of a comprehensive maintenance schedule. British Standard BS 5306-3 also specifies requirements for more detailed servicing at longer intervals:
Extended Service: This is required for most water, foam, powder, and wet chemical extinguishers, typically every 5 years. It involves a more thorough examination than the basic annual service, including a test discharge, internal inspection, and replacement of certain components. Some primary sealed powder extinguishers may have different requirements.
Overhaul and Testing (for CO2 extinguishers): CO2 fire extinguishers require an overhaul and hydraulic pressure test every 10 years to ensure the integrity of the cylinder. After this, they are typically refurbished or replaced.
These specialised services must be carried out by competent technicians with the appropriate equipment and knowledge.
UK regulations and BS 5306-8 recommend that for any storey, the number of Class A extinguishers should be such that the aggregate A rating is not less than 0.065 x floor area of the storey in m2, with a minimum of 2 extinguishers per floor with an aggregate A rating of at least 26A. For very small premises where this might hinder escape, a specific fire risk assessment should determine appropriate provision.
Selecting the right fire protection company is a crucial decision. Look for reputable providers, ideally those with third-party accreditation (e.g., BAFE SP101 scheme), whose technicians are trained and competent to work in accordance with BS 5306. Request references. Many companies offer servicing for a full range of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment like fire blankets or fixed fire extinguishing systems. Consider companies offering fire extinguisher stands or cabinets if needed. You can often buy fire extinguishers online or through specialist suppliers in the fire industry. Ensure they provide high quality fire safety equipment compliant with British Standards.
The right partner not only performs servicing but can also provide valuable fire training on using different fire extinguisher types (knowing which extinguisher should be used for different classes of fire).
Schedule annual fire extinguisher servicing alongside other fire safety system checks (like fire alarms or emergency lighting) to minimise disruption and potentially lower costs. Use calendar reminders or opt for service contracts which often include automatic scheduling. Factor in requirements for various extinguisher types (e.g., wet chemical fire extinguishers in kitchens, CO2 fire extinguishers near electrical equipment).
Maintain both digital and physical records of all servicing and maintenance, including your fire logbook, as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Organise by date and extinguisher location/ID. Ensure service labels are attached to extinguishers and are legible. Make records readily accessible for inspection by the Fire and Rescue Service or other relevant authorities. Thorough documentation demonstrates your commitment to fire safety and legal compliance.
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