Fire Extinguisher Installation, Service & Maintenance

A fire extinguisher is a portable device for the purpose of extinguishing a fire. They are effective only for the type and size of a fire that it is rated for.

Fire extinguishers are provided as "first attack" units in fire fighting and should be used only in early stages of fire before the fire grows to a point that is beyond the capacity of the extinguisher.

Are fire extinguishers mandatory in Western Australia?

The fire safety requirements for businesses in Western Australia are set out in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 (WA). Specifically, the obligations for fire extinguishers and fire blankets are set out at regulation 3.9(1).

Regulation 3.9(1) incorporates Australian Standard 2444.

Installed to AS2444-2001

We can select, locate and install your fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

The most common classes of fire are:

Although much less common, there are also class D fires which involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium or Potassium. Knowing how to deal with them safely is important. While most Class D fires need extreme heat to ignite, once the fire has started it can spread very quickly, which can make them very dangerous. Specialised extinguishers are available for this risk.

Key points to ensure a compliant installation.

• Identify the risk and select the appropriate extinguisher(s).
• Ensure correct travel distances are met.
• Extinguishers shall be sited adjacent to an exit or along the normal path of travel to an exit.
• Extinguishers sited to protect switchboards or deep fryers (cooking oils and fats) shall be no closer than 2m and no further than 20m from the hazard.
• Considerations should be given to the type of fixings required.
• Extinguishers shall be installed with the base no less than 100mm from finished floor level (FFL) and the operating lever no more than 1,200mm. This can be varied if there is a possibility of dislodgement provided accessibility is maintained.
• Location sign(s) shall be mounted at least 2m high and visible from all approach angles.
• A single location sign can be installed above multiple extinguishers in the one location.
• Where ambient temperatures are less than 5˚C and greater than 50˚C the extinguisher shall be thermally protected.

Maintained to AS1851-2012

Fire extinguishers are vital to an initial response, so it is important that they work and are fully operational and safe to use.

We provide fire extinguisher servicing to the following types:

• Foam (stored pressure)
• Water (stored pressure)
• Wet chemical
• Carbon dioxide
• Dry chemical powder
• Class D fire extinguishers

Frequency is 6 monthly, 12 monthly, 3 yearly (pressure test if in an aggressive environment), 3 yearly discharge for water (stored pressure) extinguishers with inhibitor and 5 yearly.

• Foam (stored pressure) extinguishers are required to be discharged annually.

[see Item 2.3(a) of Table 10.4.2]

• Water (stored pressure) extinguishers with inhibitor are required to be refilled 3 yearly. (Perth and Adelaide only, see clause 10.2.5)

[see Item 2.3(b) of Table 10.4.2]

Contact us today to discuss your fire extinguisher requirements.