Fire-fighting equipment should be adapted to the risk of fire ignition and the occurrence of fire at each workstation. This applies especially to workstations where electrical equipment, open flames or arcs are used, and where flammable materials are present and where a flammable or explosive atmosphere (dust, gases or vapours) occurs.
Fire-fighting equipment should be marked in accordance with EN ISO 7010 and, depending on the hazards involved, may include (marking symbols):
- fire extinguisher (BF001)
- internal hydrant (BF002)
- fire ladder (BF003)
- foam applicator (BF010)
- water mist applicator (BF011)
- stationary fire extinguishing battery (BF008)
- stationary fire-fighting installation (BF012)
- stationary fire extinguishing cylinder (BF013)
Fire extinguishing equipment shall be inspected by a designated, employee, trained and responsible for fire protection. Fire equipment shall be inspected a minimum of 1 time per year by an authorised serviceman/company. They shall be updated or replaced as necessary in accordance with expiry dates set by the relevant service. Clear access of a minimum of 1m to fire equipment such as fire extinguishers and hydrants should be provided. Hydrants and fire extinguishers should be mounted at a height of 1350 mm +/- 100 mm from floor level to the appliance valve. Access to fire extinguishers or hydrants must not be obstructed even temporarily by placing, for example, a pallet of goods for a few minutes. In that short time, we may need this equipment and it can be crucial to ensure the safety of workers. Wherever work takes place without access to daylight (rooms without windows or after dark), emergency lighting should be installed to allow a worker to safely leave the danger zone in the event of a main power failure or shutdown.