BS 5306 — the fire extinguisher standard explained

The parts of BS 5306

• BS 5306-8 — Selection and provision. Tells you what type of extinguisher you need, where, and how many.
• BS 5306-3 — Commissioning, inspection and maintenance. Tells you what a competent service looks like and how often it's required.
• BS 5306-9 — Refilling. Specifies the conditions under which a discharged extinguisher can be refilled.

How many extinguishers and where

BS 5306-8 calculates extinguisher provision based on floor area, occupancy and the classes of fire risk present. As a rule of thumb, every floor needs at least 2 × 9-litre water extinguishers covering Class A risks, with additional CO2 or foam for kitchens, server rooms and similar. Travel distance from any point in the building to the nearest extinguisher should not exceed 30m for Class A and 10m for Class F (kitchens).

Service types and frequency

• Basic service — annual, by a competent person. Visual check, weight check, pressure check, replacement of seals and anti-tamper devices.
• Extended service — 5-yearly for water, foam and powder. The extinguisher is discharged, internally inspected and recharged.
• Overhaul — 10-yearly for CO2 extinguishers. Full hydrostatic test of the cylinder.

Who can service them

BS 5306-3 requires a "competent person" — someone with appropriate training, tools, manufacturer-approved spares and access to the necessary technical information. BAFE SP101 registration is the recognised third-party scheme. We carry BAFE-registered status across all four service categories.

Common findings on site

• Extinguishers obstructed by storage or relocated by occupants
• Missing or illegible identification signs above the bracket
• Service tags out of date — sometimes by years
• Wrong type for the risk (dry powder in an office with computers)
• Wall brackets at the wrong height (handle should be 1m from floor for over 4kg, otherwise 1.5m)