Number of fire extinguishers per room area: standards, standards and specifics of calculation

The fire extinguisher is considered to be one of the most common common means of extinguishing a fire. Therefore it is very important to know the number of fire extinguishers on the area of the premises (the norms you can learn in this article).

A few introductory words

This unit is very simple to put into action, not possessing special skills. With its help you can easily cope with the fires of the initial stage. That is why a fire extinguisher can be found in almost any building, from the warehouse to public and industrial premises.

That is why it is very important to understand what quantity of fire extinguishers is necessary for the area of the room, the norms, the types of devices, how to use and in what place it is better to install. Answers to these questions can be found in this article.

Correct calculation scheme

Not so long ago for the provision of fire safety it was necessary to be guided by the "Fire Safety Rules 01-03". However, now the most important document responsible for fire safety is the "Rules of the fire regime". Given the norms specified in this document, you will be able to protect your building from fires.

In order to understand how to properly place fire extinguishers in the building, you need to understand the layout of the room, as well as take into account a special calculation scheme.

The number of fire extinguishers per floor space (the norms specified in this article) is determined taking into account such data:

• The appointment of the building itself, as well as the performance of its functions;
• Definition of explosion hazard category;
• The area of the object and its layout;
• Classification of fires;
• The correct selection of fire extinguishers and their installation.

It is according to these points that the calculation is carried out. Therefore, it is not possible to be guided by only one room area to determine the required number of extinguishers.

Assign an object

The purpose of an object is to mean the functions that it performs. To do this, you need to establish whether your premises are public, or warehouse, or production. If the building is considered public, then in this case it is not necessary to determine the category of fire hazard. This is done only for warehouses and production facilities.

The layout of the source object

At this stage, making the calculation is not so easy. However, the layout of the building must be taken into account without fail.

The number of fire extinguishers per room area, the norms of which are specified in a special state document, should be taken into account, relying on the layout of the building. In this case, it is necessary to pay special attention to the distance from the fire extinguisher to the possible area of ignition, as well as the amount of the composition that fills the unit itself.

Typical standards for the location of fire extinguishers pay attention to the categories of premises. Proceeding from this, the distance is determined. If you are going to install fire extinguishers in a public institution, the distance from the device itself to the likely source of ignition should not exceed twenty meters. If the room has one of the categories A, B or B, then in this case the distance can be increased to 30 meters. For a building of category G - 40 meters, and category D - up to 70 meters.

Informal calculation method

Specialists also recommend paying attention to the amount of fire fighting substance in the fire extinguisher. Usually twenty five square meters is enough for one kilogram of foamy substance. If the room is small, and there is a possibility of small fires, it is best to install a hand-held portable fire extinguisher. But if there is a risk of significant fire, it is best to use mobile units.

A few nuances

The norms for equipping the premises with hand-held fire extinguishers indicate that there must be at least two units on each floor. Less use can not be made.

You can install in your room both manual and mobile fire extinguishers. If you have several rooms of a small area, then to calculate the required number of fire extinguishers, it is allowed to summarize these areas and consider them as one whole.

To place category D, you can not install fire extinguishers at all, provided that the area of the room itself does not exceed one hundred square meters.

If in your building there is a special automatic fire-extinguishing system, then the required number of fire extinguishers can be reduced exactly by two times.

Classification of fires

Calculation of the number of fire extinguishers, the norms of which are specified in this article, must also be done taking into account the fire class. This is done based on materials in the room itself. The most important thing is to determine what in the room can cause a fire and based on this calculate the right amount of fire extinguishers. In office buildings, this can be wiring and solids. In chemical laboratories - metals or alloys. But in garages, car washes and gas stations - flammable liquids.

It would also be nice to take into account additional and secondary sources of fires. This includes, for example, finishing and building materials.

Correct choice of fire extinguisher

After determining the required number of fire extinguishers is done, you need to choose the instruments themselves. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the ability of the filling substance to cope with the fire. From the brand of the extinguishing agent and it depends on what type of ignition this fire extinguisher can handle. However, experts recommend that they give preference to universal units.

Place these devices in a convenient and visible place near the exit at an altitude of not more than 150 centimeters.

Proper care of extinguishers

In order for the device to work properly and properly, it must be constantly monitored. For this, there are special requirements for the care of fire extinguishers:

• Be sure to appoint a responsible person who will monitor the health of the device;
• Each unit must undergo a special periodic check, the results of which must be regularly recorded in the log;
• When sending the fire extinguisher to recharge it, it must be replaced with a similar device;
• On each fire extinguisher there should be a serial number; It is customary to apply white paint on the body of the device itself.

Some nuances when choosing a fire extinguisher

If you choose a device on a water basis, then pay attention to the temperature regime of the room. Unlike powder and carbon dioxide units, the water limit for water devices is very small.

Powder fire extinguishers, although cheaper than carbon dioxide, but use them must be extremely cautious. This is not recommended for use in premises with machinery, as well as in museums or archives. After all, powder dust very quickly fill all the cracks, and remove it will not be so easy.

Do not ignore the type of fire extinguisher. After all, this can depend not only on the safety of your property, but also on the lives of many people. Therefore, take it with all responsibility to the selection and installation of a fire extinguisher. Believe me, it's better to protect yourself than to regret the consequences after a lifetime.