BS 5306-8:2012 How does it affect you?

Protecting your world

The British Standard for the

selection and positioning of
portable fire extinguishers

This standard has been reviewed to align with the

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 and the
Fire (Safety) Scotland Regulations 2006 and other
applicable codes and standards.

The standard now:

• recognises the use of the extinguisher as assisting
with building evacuation as well as fighting fires
• c
 larifies some definitions such as storey which is now
defined as a floor or level within a building including
basements, mezzanine and ground floor
• e
 nsures that the responsible or competent person
assesses the need for fire extinguishers in buildings
which are part or fully unoccupied
• e
 nsures that the competent person informs the
responsible person of their legal requirement for
training
The key changes of BS 5306-8:2012 are:
General Recommendations
• e
 xtra cover for all floors which do not currently have
a 26A cover
• the scale of provision in BS 5306-8 is a minimum
which will need to be increased if the fire risk
assessment determines a higher level
• that due to the sudden reduction of visibility during
powder extinguisher discharge:
– powder should generally not be specified for
indoor use unless mitigated by a Health & Safety
risk assessment
– water based extinguishers are recommended in
hospitals, residential care homes and hotels
Clause 6; Positioning
Location and accessibility
Fire Risk
Extinguishers to tackle Class B, Class D, Class F and fire
involving electrical equipment should ideally be located
such that the correct extinguisher for that fire type is the
first one encountered by the prospective operator.
Signage
The position and type of fire extinguisher should be
indicated on a sign so that if the extinguisher is
removed its type can be identified during a safety
inspection and replacement arranged.

• a
 lternative cover if a running B class fire is presently Chubb recommendation:
covered by CO2 If the extinguisher is
represented by the sign on
• F
 class cover if cooking oils and fats are presently
the left, we recommend it
covered by other types
OLD is replaced by the relevant NEW
ID sign.

Chubb Fire & Security

Travel distance
Extinguishers should be sited near the fire hazard, but
not so near that it becomes inaccessible or puts the
operator at risk in the event of a fire.
Class of fire Travel distance
A Fires involving freely burning
materials. For example wood, paper, 30m
textiles and carbonaceous materials.
B Fires involving flammable liquids.
For example petrol and spirits. 10m
NOT ALCOHOL OR COOKING OIL.
C Fires involving flammable gases.
For example butane and propane. 30m
D Fires involving flammable metals.
For example magnesium and lithium. Case by case
Clause 8; Distribution of extinguishers
Each storey with an area less than or equal to
400m² should have at least 2 extinguishers
having a minimum total fire rating of 26A
Clause 8.2; (e.g. minimum 2 x 3L Hydrospray or 2 x 9L foam)
Class A Fires For any storey with a floor area exceeding 400 m²
there should be at least 2 extinguishers with an A
rating; having a combined minimum total fire rating
of 0.065 x floor area of the storey (in square metres)
Clause 8.3; Running fire, use Powder
Class B Fires
Contained fire, use Foam
Cooking media in liquid form is NOT class B
For open topped container: Obtain the surface
area measurement in m2 Use Table 1 to determine
number and rating of extinguishers required
Clause 8.4; Personnel that are required to use extinguishers
Class C Fires for Class C fires need to be trained

Fires involving electrical equipment. Clause 8.6; Only Class F extinguishers should be sited in
For example photocopiers fax 10m Class F areas with cooking oils or fats
machines and computers. Use Table 2 to determine number and rating of
Fires involving cooking oil and fat. extinguishers required
F
For example olive oil, maize oil, lard 10m Non conductive media, such as CO2, powder or
and butter. Electrical other clean agent, should be specified for use on
Hazard Only electrical equipment
If the operator is required to pass through doorways to
reach the nearest extinguisher, the above travel distances Table 1 – Class B
need to be reduced to maintain a short time between Maximum area of Minimum quantity and rating
discovery of a fire and the moment at which the operator exposed Class B in m² for each extinguisher
is able to start fighting the fire. 0.14 1 x 21B
0.23 1 x 34B

Chubb recommendation: Move extinguishers, and/or 0.37 1 x 55B

recommend additional units, to cover risks due to the 0.47 1 x 70B
reduction of travel distances or the travel through doorways. 0.59 1 x 89B
0.75 1 x 113B
0.96 1 x 144B
Protection against vandalism 1.22 1 x 183B
Measures should be taken to reduce the possibility of theft 1.41 2 x 113B
or vandalism by considering relocation to somewhere 1.80 2 x 144B
more secure, or by using protection boxes or covers and/ 2.29 2 x 183B
or audible alarms. 2.88 3 x 144B
3.66 3 x 183B
4.66 3 x 233B
Chubb recommendation: Audio alarms/protection boxes.
Table 2 – Class F
Area in m² Extinguisher rating Example

0.015 1 × 5F
0.02 2 × 5F 20cm frying pan
0.04 1 × 25F
0.06 1 × 40F 28cm frying pan
0.11 1 × 75F
0.18 2 × 40F
0.24 2 × 75F
0.27 2 × 75F
0.32 2 × 75F
0.4 2 × 75F
Area >0.4 Fixed fire
suppression system
 Q&A
Are these changes a legal requirement? Can fire blankets be recommended for covering
British Standards are codes of practice – that is, Class F fire risks?
recommendations and not legal mandatory requirements. In accordance with the standard Chubb will now
However, they are specifically referred to in the guidance recommend a Class F extinguisher to cover any Class F
notes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, (cooking oils) fire risks. In addition to the Class F
“Guidance on the selection and installation of fire extinguisher recommended we will recommend fire
extinguishers is given in BS 5306-8, for maintenance in blanket to cover clothing fire risk/grill fire risk risks.
BS 5306-3”.
What happens if I do not want a Class F extinguisher
Chubb advises adhering to the British Standards as
in my kitchen?
the best way to demonstrate compliance with your
Chubb service your site in accordance with BS 5306:
legal requirements.
Part 3 and Part 8 if our engineers’ recommendations’
I have heard that water mist portable extinguishers are not followed we will not be able to issue a Certificate
can be used on ‘electrical fires’, is that correct? of Conformity for your site.
BS 5306-8:2012 clearly states that only non conductive
Why is there a specific clause of protection
media such as CO2, powder or clean agent should be
specified for use on electrical equipment. Therefore against vandalism?
Chubb does not recommend the use of water mist Unfortunately, the sight of an empty extinguisher
portable extinguishers to protect their risks involving bracket or an extinguisher propping open a door is still
electrical equipment. Note – there are many applications too common in British workplaces. If an extinguisher
where the use of a fixed water mist system may be has been removed from its fire point, has been used
appropriate. and not refilled or has been vandalised and not
reported, it will not be available for use in an
Shall we only recommend training if the customer emergency, thus leading to the potential spread of a
has a Class C risk? small fire before a working extinguisher is located.
Training should be recommended to the customer Furthermore, time spent searching for a missing or
whatever their fire risks are. The standard emphasis has working extinguisher might slow down the building
been put on Class C risks as these types of fires have evacuation and increase the risk to life safety in the
the special consideration of cutting off the flow of fuel. event of a fire.

Call 0800 32 1666

© Chubb Fire & Security Limited 2016
This briefing is intended as general guidance and is not a substitute for detailed advice in specific circumstances. Although great care
CFS2200 10/16

has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this edition to ensure accuracy, Chubb cannot in any circumstances accept
responsibility for errors, omissions or advice given or for any losses arising from reliance upon information contained in this publication.