Portable Fire Extinguisher

Defects

Probable causes for the defect

Design for Maintainability (DfM) Guidelines

Misuse, wrong placement

    Extinguishing cone missing

• Corroded if not rust resistant or exposed to very damp environment.
• Denting or abrasion due to mishandling.
• Mishandling may damage parts ( seal, trap, thread, gasket, handle etc).
• Stolen – vandalism. Mounting should be able to prevent that.
• Wrongly placed with no concern for safety rules, misuse. E.g. As door stopper.
• Hangers are broken due to corrosion, not secured to structure or used for hanging heavier extinguisher.

• Ensure that the locations and number of portable fire extinguishers are based on the maximum travel route (SS EN 3 Series, BS 5306-8:2012, ISO/PRF 7165).

• Access to or visibility of extinguishers should be unobstructed. Extinguishers should be visible along an escape route (preferably near room exits, along corridors and staircases, in lobbies, and on landing).

• The extinguishers’ body and the parts should be of approved quality to prevent rusting, early damage or deterioration (BS EN 3 series).

Construction

• Ensure the proper positioning (designated location, hung properly with label facing out) of fire extinguishers.

• Installation of Small Fire Extinguishers (≤ 4 Kg): Hung on wall with hanger or bracket such that the handle is about 1.5m from floor. Hangers should be securely fixed.

• Installation of Heavier Fire Extinguishers (≥ 4 Kg): Carrying handle should be about 1m from floor. Ensure that the arrangement would not hurt the person carrying it. Parts should be attached as per manufacturer’s instruction.

Maintenance

• Conduct regular servicing to confirm required working condition. (Refer to the recommended schedules for maintenance as per BS 5306-3:2009).

• Conduct monthly inspection to ensure that the pressure gauge is in operative range and check for any sign of corrosion of the body of the extinguisher.

• Comply with the recharging frequency as per type of extinguisher.

• Charging, testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers must conform to SS 578:2012 specifications.

• Extinguishers must be recharged with the same agent only.

• No mixing or cross contamination allowed and no overfilling. (See also BS 5306-9:2015, NFPA 10:2013).

• Irregular servicing – leaky pressure valve, poor content of extinguishing agent or clogged by the dated agent.
• Damages in nozzle such as cracked, deformed, spoilt thread etc. from mishandling or vandalism. Mounting not vandal proof.
• Illegible weight marking may leave gas cartridge partially empty.
• Extinguisher if not hydrostatically tested, may not be suitable to cater to the full pressure.

• Ensure that the locations and number of portable fire extinguishers are based on the maximum travel route (SS EN 3 Series, BS 5306-8:2012, ISO/PRF 7165).
• Access to or visibility of extinguishers should be unobstructed. Extinguishers should be visible along an escape route (preferably near room exits, along corridors and staircases, in lobbies, and on landing).
• The extinguishers’ body and the parts should be of approved quality to prevent rusting, early damage or deterioration (BS EN 3 series).

Construction

• Ensure the proper positioning (designated location, hung properly with label facing out) of fire extinguishers.

• Installation of Small Fire Extinguishers (≤ 4 Kg): Hung on wall with hanger or bracket such that the handle is about 1.5m from floor. Hangers should be securely fixed.

• Installation of Heavier Fire Extinguishers (≥ 4 Kg): Carrying handle should be about 1m from floor. Ensure that the arrangement would not hurt the person carrying it. Parts should be attached as per manufacturer’s instruction.

Maintenance

• Conduct regular servicing to confirm required working condition. (Refer to the recommended schedules for maintenance as per BS 5306-3:2009).

• Conduct monthly inspection to ensure that the pressure gauge is in operative range and check for any sign of corrosion of the body of the extinguisher.

• Comply with the recharging frequency as per type of extinguisher.

• Charging, testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers must conform to SS 578:2012 specifications.

• Extinguishers must be recharged with the same agent only.

• No mixing or cross contamination allowed and no overfilling. (See also BS 5306-9:2015, NFPA 10:2013).

Illegible label

• Hardening of powder in damp environment.
• Water / foam has incorrect weight or of expired date.
• Liquid become gummy if not changed in time and clogs the pressure vacuum vent or the discharge nozzle.
• Malfunction of components with time – suppression activator, proportioning device etc. Should be replaced as recommended.
• Components of nozzle cap, plug etc corroded, missing or misaligned.
• A change in type is required to suit the anticipated type of fire and hazard class. Usually happens due to change in building use.
• Illegible label- user not sure about the extinguishing agent.

Construction

Maintenance

• Poor make.
• Thread is blunt or jammed – damaged during installation / servicing
• Corrosion of inferior quality pipes

Construction

Maintenance

•  Unkempt condition of fire extinguishers
• Poor accessibility and improper positioning/ location

• Ensure that the locations and number of portable fire extinguishers are based on the maximum travel route (SS EN 3 Series, BS 5306-8:2012, ISO/PRF 7165).

• Access to or visibility of extinguishers should be unobstructed. Extinguishers should be visible along an escape route (preferably near room exits, along corridors and staircases, in lobbies, and on landing).

• The extinguishers’ body and the parts should be of approved quality to prevent rusting, early damage or deterioration (BS EN 3 series).

Construction

• Ensure the proper positioning (designated location, hung properly with label facing out) of fire extinguishers.

• Installation of Small Fire Extinguishers (≤ 4 Kg): Hung on wall with hanger or bracket such that the handle is about 1.5m from floor. Hangers should be securely fixed.

• Installation of Heavier Fire Extinguishers (≥ 4 Kg): Carrying handle should be about 1m from floor. Ensure that the arrangement would not hurt the person carrying it. Parts should be attached as per manufacturer’s instruction.

Maintenance

• Conduct regular servicing to confirm required working condition. (Refer to the recommended schedules for maintenance as per BS 5306-3:2009).

• Conduct monthly inspection to ensure that the pressure gauge is in operative range and check for any sign of corrosion of the body of the extinguisher.

• Comply with the recharging frequency as per type of extinguisher.

• Charging, testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers must conform to SS 578:2012 specifications.

• Extinguishers must be recharged with the same agent only.

• No mixing or cross contamination allowed and no overfilling. (See also BS 5306-9:2015, NFPA 10:2013).