Basic H&S Guidelines

KNOW YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER COLOUR CODE

CO2 Vapourising Wet

Water Dry Powder Foam Carbon Dioxide Liquid Chemical

For Use On: For Use On: For Use On: For Use On: For Use On: For Use On:
· Wood, paper · Wood, paper · Wood, paper · Flammable · Flammable · Wood, paper
and textiles and textiles and textiles liquids liquids and textiles
· Flammable · Flammable · Live electrical · Live electrical · Cooking oil fires
liquids liquids equipment equipment
· Gaseous fires
Do Not Use On: · Live electrical Do Not Use On: Do Not Use:
· Live electrical equipment · Live electrical · In a confined
equipment equipment space
· Flammable · Flammable
liquids metal fires
· Flammable
metal fires

Figure 3.4 – Fire Extinguisher Colour Code

New extinguishers should conform to BS EN 3, which requires that the entire body of the
extinguisher be coloured red. A zone of colour of up to 5% of the external area can be used to
identify the contents using the old colour coding shown in Figure 3.4 above.

3.9 Worker Training on Aspects of Fire Safety

All workers should receive fire safety training as it applies to their work location and their
dormitory (if applicable). Instructions on emergency evacuation procedures should be given as
part of the workers’ initial orientation and regularly thereafter. Workers should also receive
instruction on the location and use of alarm pull boxes or other alarm activation methods.

If any workers are expected to use portable fire extinguishers in the effort to extinguish small,
newly started fires, then they should receive training. This training should include the actual use of
such equipment. The factory should also communicate their expectation of these trained workers:
that in the event of an actual fire, they should only respond to relatively small, early stage fires,
and if they have any doubt, then they should evacuate.

Social & Environmental Affairs Page 24 of 127 Feburary 2010