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Irish Standard 291 which governs the selection, commissioning, installation, inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers was revised in 2015. Our Lead Trainer/Technical Sales Manager, Larry Kirwan outlines the key requirements:
Competent Person Inspection Frequency
- At least every 12 months
- More frequently where the environment, risks or other factors dictate so.
User Inspection
- At least every month (recorded in Fire Safety Register)
- More frequently where the environment, risks or other factors dictate so.
Test Discharge & Refilling Requirements
- All types of extinguishers (Foam, Water, CO2, Powder, Chemical) must be Test Discharged & Refilled every three years
- To this end, one third of each type should be selected during each annual inspection
- Loan units should be provided to the client to ensure no loss of cover while units are removed, until they are returned again
- Units selected for Test Discharge should be ideally used to provide training for personnel on site where practical
- Where there are less than three of any type of unit on site, one should be removed for TD & R
Pressure Testing Requirements
- All types of fire extinguisher should be considered under the European Pressure Equipment Directive
- This requires that all extinguishers undergo a Pressure Test and Refill, 10 years after manufacture and every 5 years subsequently
- Any units that are not practical or feasible to be Pressure Tested and Refilled, should be replaced at 10 years old
- This would include liquid-based units, like Water, Foam, Wet Chemical (pressure test would crack the internal lining) and Powder units (too labour-intensive / impractical)
Author: Larry Kirwan, Lead Trainer/Technical Sales, Guardian Fire & Safety
Got a question? Contact Larry today on 051 448774 or email info@guardianfire.ie
Copies of I.S. 291:2015 are available to purchase from National Standards Authority of Ireland at www.nsai.ie
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