A fire extinguisher is only effective if it is easy to access quickly in an emergency. Poor placement can make them difficult to find or unsafe to reach.
If you’re unsure of where best to place fire safety equipment, Actifire, who specialise in commercial fire safety services, offer their expertise on why location is so important, where extinguishers should be placed in homes and workplaces, as well as looking at the legal and practical considerations.
Why location matters
Good placement is vital when it comes to fire extinguishers. They need to be quickly accessible, so they should be placed along escape routes or near exits so that they can be reached without moving towards the fire.
They should also be clearly visible, which means not hidden in cupboards or behind furniture. All fire extinguishers should be easy to use and therefore need to be positioned at a practical height and not obstructed.
In an emergency, people have very little time to react, so poor placement can delay responses or make the extinguisher unusable.
Where to place fire extinguishers at home
There are a number of practical household locations for fire extinguishers, with the kitchen being the biggest concern. This is the highest risk area, so the extinguisher should be placed near the exit and not directly next to the hob ensuring that it can be accessed safely.
Fire extinguishers should also be kept in the garage as fire risks there include fuel, tools and electrical equipment, so the extinguisher must be positioned near an entrance or exit for easy access.
Extinguishers are also important around fireplaces and heating areas due to the risk posed by open flames, logs or embers. Keep the extinguisher nearby, but not so close that it becomes unsafe to reach.
Where to place fire extinguishers at work
Workplaces can present high-risk situations and there is also a compliance aspect to think about. Extinguishers are required in kitchens and break rooms due to the availability of cooking equipment and electrical appliances, so keep them near exits and visible areas.
They should also be positioned near any electrical equipment in areas such as offices, server rooms and machinery. You must ensure that you have the appropriate extinguisher type and position it close enough to access quickly, but not directly in a hazard zone.
Main office areas also need fire extinguishers to provide general coverage for paper, furniture and electrical items. These need to be clearly visible and evenly distributed throughout the space. Workplaces require strategic coverage when it comes to fire extinguishers, ensuring that no area is too far from one.
Legal and safety requirements
Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible at all times and should be located in consistent, easy to find positions throughout a building. Typical guidance includes a minimum combined extinguishing capacity such as a 13A rating, which often equates to around 4kg or larger units in practice.
There are also strict rules over the placement of fire extinguishers, which state that they must be mounted on walls or placed on stands. They should also be positioned so that they are visible and unobstructed. Businesses must carry out a fire risk assessment to determine their exact requirements.
Choosing the right type of fire extinguisher
There are a number of different fire extinguishers available depending on the likely source of a fire. Water extinguishers are used for solid materials like wood, paper and textiles, whilst foam is preferred for solids and flammable liquids. There are also carbon dioxide extinguishers which are used for electrical fires and equipment.
Dry powder extinguishers offer a versatile approach as these can be used for multiple fire types and are often found outdoors or in industrial settings. There are also wet chemical extinguishers which have been specifically designed for cooking oils and fats and are therefore common in commercial kitchens.
The placement of your extinguisher should match the type of fire risk in that area and not just convenience. Correct placement of an extinguisher is just as important as having one in the first place. Whether at home or in the workplace, properly located fire extinguishers can make a critical difference in responding quickly and safely to a fire emergency.