Last Updated on 15 June 2022.
Fire extinguishers are one of those things that people tend not to give too much thought to.
It’s fair enough – as long as you have them, you know how to use them, and they adhere to all the safety requirements, you’re good to go.
But we had a situation recently that’s been a point of debate…
You see, one of our customer’s decided they don’t want to use us for extinguishers anymore.
That’s not the real issue, though.
It’s that they’re using someone cheaper that’s using P50 extinguishers – and that’s where the debate comes in.
Because these are fire extinguishers that don’t need to be maintained – but they can’t be commissioned by a BAFE approved company because they’re not BAFE approved.
What is BAFE?
BAFE stands for the British Approvals for Fire Equipment. Our accreditation means that WFP Fire & Security passes frequent inspections, and we’re regulated by the UK’s leading fire safety register.
And by choosing us to install and maintain your commercial fire safety equipment, you’re putting your trust in competent specialists who will ensure that you comply with UK Fire Safety Law.
This customer has been with us for a long time, and we understand that sometimes people leave – that’s fine.
But what we don’t want to see is a customer falling foul of non-regulation equipment because we take safety seriously.
Why Does it Matter?
The thing is, if BAFE see P50 extinguishers as non-compliant with UK Fire Safety regulations, then you’ve got to ask yourself why?
Understandably, you might think of it as a price issue because standard extinguishers need to be maintained at least once a year, so there’s obviously a cost associated with it.
In a way, a P50 extinguisher seems too good to be true, and as the old saying goes… it’s because it is.
To give you some background – there are five classes of fire, depending on the materials that have been set alight.
The fire extinguishers fitted within your building will be specific to the class of fire it’s required to tackle. There are five common types: foam, water, carbon dioxide (CO2), powder, and wet chemical.
Your business will require a minimum number of extinguishers; however, the standard legal requirement is two per floor with a combined rating of at least 26A, except in specific circumstances.
It’s not important just to get the right type and number – they must be strategically located, visible and easily accessible without being in an area where they could become an obstruction.
Our expert BAFE certified team at WFP can help you with all things fire safety related, including the installation and maintenance of BAFE-approved fire extinguishers.
Got any questions? Contact us on the below details and don’t forget to continue the conversation on social media!
1 thought on “What You Need to Know About P50 Fire Extinguishers”
In what way are they non-compliant?
They carry a CE mark and Kitemark from BSI to EN3.