Annually there are about 20 000 commercial fires in the UK. This number is alarmingly high and serves as a definite warning to commercial site owners to take all fire precaution measurements with the seriousness it requires. Key features in any fire preventative action plan are to ensure that you have a sufficient number of fire extinguishers on-site, that you have the correct kind of fire extinguishers and that they are properly maintained.

Current legislation is very clear on a minimum requirement of two Class A fire extinguishers on any floor unless the floor size is very small. “Class A refers to a device which contains water, water mist, foam, dry powder or wet chemicals and is, in general, the option advised for areas with combustible carbon-based solids such as wood, fabric or paper,” says Paul Mayfair, manager at S K Fire Protection. S K Fire Protection is a leading provider of equipment, service and training in the fire precaution industry in the UK.

Other classes include Class B with water mist, foam, CO2 and dry powder suitable for flammable liquids. Class C has water mist and dry powder and is effective on flammable gases, Class D contains specialist dry powder for usage on burning metals, Class Electrical is specifically designed for electrical fires and Class F contains water mist and wet chemicals for fats and cooking oils. It is vital to ensure that you have the fire extinguisher which will allow for the most effective results compared to the most common substances in your surroundings.

“Regardless of the kind of fire extinguisher you have, legislation requires that these devices are either replaced every five years or at least receive a complete overhaul,” Mayfair states. Except for this, it is also vital to ensure that your devices are always in an optimally working condition. Therefore, you need to have this equipment serviced by a trusted and reputable service provider on an annual basis. During this service, they will ensure that all parts on the device are in working order, that there are no leakages and that it is filled to optimal capacity. It is also advised that you do weekly checks on these devices and if you see anything concerning, to check in with your service provider.

“Although the process might sound complex and daunting, it doesn’t have to be the case at all. By partnering with a reputable provider, you take a lot of stress off your shoulders,” Mayfair concludes.

About Us: The name S K Fire Protection is a trusted name in the UK fire precaution industry. Through several decades of quality service and products, training and maintenance, we’ve established our name as a leading service and product provider. We are also authorized by various authoritative bodies and is a supplier of certified equipment. Our team is always ready to assist with your needs, either to maintain your existing systems, install completely new ones, upgrades, training of your staff or simply for advice. Visit our website https://www.skfireprotection.co.uk/ and learn more about all we have to offer and how we can help you.