Walk into almost any commercial premises and you'll probably see a fire extinguisher somewhere near an entrance, corridor or fire exit.
But when was it last checked? Is it the correct type for the risks within the premises? Is it positioned somewhere accessible? And, perhaps most importantly, would you or your staff know what to do with it during an emergency? Fire extinguishers are one of those pieces of safety equipment that businesses can easily forget about because, hopefully, they are never needed.
At Fortify Security Systems, we believe fire protection should be approached in exactly the opposite way: equipment should be properly selected, positioned and maintained before an emergency occurs.
Here are some of the things businesses should consider.
Not Every Fire Extinguisher Is the Same
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding fire extinguishers is that they're all essentially interchangeable. They're not. Different extinguishing agents are designed for different types of fire, and the correct solution depends on the risks present within the property. Common extinguisher types include: Water extinguishers – commonly associated with fires involving materials such as paper, wood and textiles. Foam extinguishers – suitable for certain solid combustible materials and flammable liquids. CO₂ extinguishers – commonly found around electrical equipment and certain flammable-liquid risks. Dry powder extinguishers – capable of dealing with several classes of fire, although their suitability needs to be considered carefully for the particular environment. Wet chemical extinguishers – particularly associated with commercial kitchens and fires involving cooking oils and fats. The right combination for an office could therefore be very different from what's appropriate for a restaurant, workshop or commercial kitchen.
Where Are Your Extinguishers Located?
Having the correct extinguisher isn't much help if nobody can reach it. Fire extinguishers should be positioned so they are visible and accessible, taking into account the layout and risks of the premises. Over time, however, workplaces change. Furniture gets moved. Storage areas expand. Offices are rearranged. Doors change use. New machinery or electrical equipment is installed. An extinguisher that was sensibly positioned several years ago may no longer be ideally located today. This is one reason fire-safety arrangements should be reviewed periodically rather than simply installed and forgotten.
When Were They Last Inspected?
Take a look at the extinguishers around your workplace. Could you confidently say when they were last professionally serviced? Fire extinguishers require ongoing inspection and maintenance to help ensure they're ready for use. A unit might look perfectly fine externally while still requiring attention. Depending on the extinguisher, checks can include its general condition, pressure, seals, hose or nozzle, safety pin, signage and service history. If you can't remember the last time your extinguishers were inspected, that's probably a good reason to have them checked.
Has an Extinguisher Been Moved or Tampered With?
This happens more often than many people realise. Extinguishers can be moved during cleaning, building works or furniture changes and never returned to their intended position. Safety pins or seals can also become damaged. Sometimes an extinguisher has even been partially discharged without anyone responsible for the building being informed. A quick visual inspection around the premises can identify obvious issues, but this shouldn't replace appropriate professional servicing.
Don't Forget About Your Business's Changing Risks
Businesses evolve. An office may introduce a server room. A retail unit may add a small kitchen. A restaurant may replace or expand its cooking equipment. A workshop may start storing different materials. A warehouse may change what it stores. Whenever the activities within a premises change significantly, it's sensible to consider whether the existing fire protection remains appropriate. That doesn't only mean extinguishers. It may also affect your fire detection, alarm system, emergency lighting and overall fire-safety arrangements.
Fire Extinguishers Are Only One Part of Fire Protection
This is particularly important. A fire extinguisher isn't a replacement for proper fire detection. The objective should always be to create layers of protection. Depending on the premises, that can include:
- Fire risk assessment
- Smoke and heat detection
- Fire alarm systems
- Manual call points
- Fire extinguishers
- Emergency lighting
- Appropriate signage
- Clear escape routes
- Regular inspection and maintenance
- Staff awareness and procedures
Each component performs a different role. Your alarm helps warn people. Emergency lighting helps people find their way out if normal lighting fails. Extinguishers may allow a suitably trained person to tackle a small fire when it is safe and appropriate to do so. And your fire risk assessment helps identify the hazards and measures needed across the premises.
Would Your Staff Know What to Do?
Installing equipment is only part of being prepared. Staff should understand the fire procedures for their workplace, including how to raise the alarm and how to evacuate. Nobody should put themselves at unnecessary risk attempting to fight a fire. If there is any doubt, getting people safely out of the building takes priority. Businesses should therefore consider fire extinguishers as part of their wider emergency planning rather than assuming that simply providing the equipment is enough.
What About Fire Risk Assessments?
A fire risk assessment takes a broader look at the premises. Rather than focusing on one particular piece of equipment, it considers potential fire hazards, people who may be at risk, existing fire precautions and areas where improvements may be appropriate. For businesses that haven't reviewed their fire-safety arrangements for some time — or whose premises have changed significantly — this can be an excellent starting point.
Bringing Fire Safety Together
At Fortify Security Systems, our aim is to help Gibraltar businesses look at fire safety as a complete system rather than a collection of individual products. Alongside our security services, Fortify's fire-safety offering includes solutions around: 🔥 Fire alarm systems 🧯 Fire extinguishers 💡 Emergency lighting 📋 Fire risk assessments 🔧 Inspection, servicing and maintenance
Whether you're opening a new business, refurbishing an existing premises or simply aren't sure whether your current arrangements are still suitable, we can help you understand what you already have and what may need attention.
When Did You Last Check Yours?
Next time you walk through your workplace, take a moment to look at your fire extinguishers. Where are they? What type are they? Are they accessible? When were they last serviced? Are they still appropriate for how the premises is being used today? They're simple questions — but they're much better answered before an emergency rather than during one.