UCL Fire Technical Note - TN023

Fire Safety Technical

Guide

UCL FIRE EXTINGUISHER SCALING &

LOCATION POLICY
Reference: BS 5306: 8 - Code of practice for fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Selection and
installation of portable fire extinguishers

1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1.

Experience has shown that most fires that have been discovered in their
early stages have been successfully tackled and extinguished by the use of
portable fire appliances. Portable fire extinguishers are valuable in the early
stages of fire when their portability and immediate availability for use by one
person enables a prompt attack to be made. They cannot be expected to
deal with a large fire since they are essentially a first aid fire-fighting measure
with a limited capacity. Therefore, for effective fire safety management
within the UCL Estate, the provision of effectual and sufficient portable fire
extinguishers is essential.

1.1.

Specific information on the Classification of Fires for Extinguishing Purposes

(UCL Technical Guide: TN 024) and individual fire extinguisher type guides,
providing practical information and safe handling are available from the
UCL fire safety web site. The extinguisher data sheets and specifically
classification of fires should be read, before handling or using fire
extinguishers.

2.0. PROVISION & LOCATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

2.1.

UCL will provide and position fire extinguisher equipment based on the
guidance at Reference A (with the exception of Para 6.4), and generally as
follows:
(a).

Extinguishers will be provided to meet the provision of a 13A rating

for every 200m2 of Class A risk, they will generally be paired at
designated Fire Points with suitable extinguishers to deal with
Electrical fires.

(b).

Where there is flammable liquid or liquefiable solid risk, suitable

extinguishers will be provided to deal with Class B risks, which may
also be used in conjunction with a Fire Blanket. Alcohol resistant
foams will also be supplied where required.

(c).

Where departments require a specialist fire extinguishers to deal with

specific materials or risks; a copy of the product safety data sheet

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date Last Amended: Jan 15
1.
Issued by the - Fire Safety Manager, UCL, Estates, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT - This guide is to be regarded as a general statement of UCL local
requirements, information or guidance only & supplements relevant British Standards or Manufacturers Instructions etc.

UCL Fire Technical Note - TN023

for those substances will be required by the UCL Fire Safety Manager
to confirm the correct fire extinguishing agent to be provided.
(d).

Where a wall mounted Fire Hose Reel is installed, generally no

additional portable water extinguishers will be provided.

(e).

Extinguishers will not be placed inside rooms (including Laboratories),

unless there is a very specific risk identified or the size of the room
dictates.

(f).

Extinguishers will be sited in such a way that it is not necessary to travel

more than 30m from the site of the fire to reach an extinguisher. Fire
extinguishers will generally be provided at a Fire Points which will be
located in corridors, on landings or in stair enclosures - safe areas on
the escape route out of the building.

(g).

Fire points will be located as close as reasonably practicable to fire

alarm break glass manual call points (MCPs). MCPs are generally
sited so that they are no more than 30m in travel distance to raise the
alarm.

(h).

Fire Action Notices will be provided at fire points, so that those persons
raising the alarm can follow the correct action necessary.

3.0. STUDENT HALLS OF RESIDENCES - EXTINGUISHER POLICY

In student hall of residences, the policy will be to provide the minimum
amount of fire equipment due to in appropriate and malicious use.

4.0. GENERAL PRINCIPALS IN POSITIONING EXTINGUISHERS

4.1.

The general principal (See Reference A) governing the positioning of fire

extinguishers:
(a).

In the event of a fire, occupants should move away from the

immediate location of the fire to a place of relative safety (i.e.
corridor, landing or stair enclosure).

(b).

Occupants will generally find a 'fire point' containing fire-fighting

equipment and a Manual Call Point for raising alarm to warn other
occupants.

(c).

Occupants should operating the nearest break glass fire alarm call
point (MCP) and raise the alarm - then make a judgement on whether
or not it is safe and practicable to return to tackle the fire with a
suitable extinguisher. If in doubt, leave by the nearest fire exit,
ensuring that the alarm is raised. Only go back and attack the fire
with an appropriate fire extinguisher if it safe and you are confident to
do so - do not place yourself or others at risk - if in doubt get out.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date Last Amended: Jan 15
2.
Issued by the - Fire Safety Manager, UCL, Estates, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT - This guide is to be regarded as a general statement of UCL local
requirements, information or guidance only & supplements relevant British Standards or Manufacturers Instructions etc.

UCL Fire Technical Note - TN023

5.0.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER PROVISION

5.1.

As a general guide the following types and fire extinguishers quantities will
be provided at designated fire points within UCL premises:
Location:

Generally, the Types/Qty of Extinguishers provided:

1 x 6 litre *Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers; or

Office / Teaching
Seminar Areas:

1 x 9 Litre Water extinguisher (or Fire Hose Reel)

1 x 2 Kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
1 x 6 litre *Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers; or,
1 x 6 Litre Multi-Purpose (AFFF) Foam
x 2 Kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
1 x Fire Blanket (1.1m2 size)

Laboratories Areas

1 x Specialist Extinguishers:

Museum Areas

Monnex BC Dry Powder for Alcohol / Solvents / Esters etc.;

Workshops

9Kg M28 Dry Powder for metal fires involving Sodium, Magnesium &
Aluminium

9Kg L2 Dry Powder for metal fires involving Lithium

1 x 6 Litre Alcohol Resisting Foam - ordinary foams are designed to work on

non-polar flammable liquids such as petrol, but may break down too
quickly in polar liquids such as alcohol or glycol. Where large amounts of
flammable polar liquids are used, alcohol resistant foam will be provided

Specialist Areas:

Student Halls of
Residences:
Large Industrial
Kitchens:
(Refectory or Catered
Halls of Residence)
Computer / Server
Rooms:
Plant Rooms:

*General Policy

1 x 6 litre *Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers

1 x Fire Blanket - cluster & floor kitchens and studio flats;
1 x 6 litre *Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers
1 x 6 Litre Multi-Purpose Foam & 1 x 2 Kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
1 x Fire Blanket (1.1m2)
1 x 6 Litre Wet Chemical (Class F) for high temp fat frying
1 x 5 Kg CO2 - outside of entrance door for use by staff & fire brigade within the
computer suite if required
1 x 2 Kg or 5 Kg CO2 - where significant electrical hazard present
1 x 6 Litre Multi-Purpose Foam - where Class B products present
1 x 6 litre Water Mist multi-purpose extinguishers will be introduced to reduce
quantity of equipment to maintain (see UCL Tech Note TN027A) - but are
suitable for Class A (13 A), Class B (21B), Class F (75F) and Electrical fires (tested
to 35,000 volts rating)

5.2.

Divergence from British Standard BS5306-8: Para 6.4 - UCL does not provide
extinguishers at locations within travel distances recommended at Para 6.4 of
BS 5306-8:2012.

5.3.

UCL will provide fire equipment on a risk basis at locations so as not to travel
more than 30m and to suit Fire Points based around fire alarm manual call
points with the aim for potential users to travel away from the fire area, to raise
the alarm and decide whether to use an extinguisher or leave the premises.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date Last Amended: Jan 15
3.
Issued by the - Fire Safety Manager, UCL, Estates, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT - This guide is to be regarded as a general statement of UCL local
requirements, information or guidance only & supplements relevant British Standards or Manufacturers Instructions etc.

UCL Fire Technical Note - TN023

6.0. MOUNTING OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS (BACKBOARD & STANDS)

6.1.

All fire extinguishers will generally be mounted on suitable wooden

backboards with a standardised size, shape and colour.
In some
circumstances, a suitably designed fire extinguisher stands will be provided.
Backboards and stands identify the fire extinguishers and protecting them
from accidental damage, protect the substrates, as well as providing colour
identification*.

6.2.

Extinguisher backboards will generally be of the following size:

Item:

Details:

Wooden
mounting Back
Boards:

Length = 600 mm x Width = 200 mm x Depth = 19 mm.

Colour:

Backboards and extinguisher stands shall be *Red in colour -(Colour to conform to BS

5252 - colour 04-E-56 or 04-E-53)
1.

9 litre extinguisher handles to be approximately 1000 mm above the floor;

2.

Fire Blankets to be mounted approx. 1500 mm above the floor, ensuring that
there is sufficient room to pull out and shake the Fire Blanket open;

3.

Backboards should be mounted on all walls (including Stud where it can be

fixed to the battens/noggins using butterfly screws or similar);

4.

Where this fixing cannot be achieved, a freestanding fire extinguisher stand

will be provided;

5.

The height from the floor to the bottom of backboard is to be to be

approx. 250 mm;

Positioning:

Externally
Mounted Fire
Extinguishers:

Externally mounted fire extinguishers will be housed in weather proof single or double
fire extinguisher cabinets that are wall mounted.

Note 1: *Red colour meets The Health & Safety (Safety Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996: Schedule 1, Part 4.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date Last Amended: Jan 15
4.
Issued by the - Fire Safety Manager, UCL, Estates, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT - This guide is to be regarded as a general statement of UCL local
requirements, information or guidance only & supplements relevant British Standards or Manufacturers Instructions etc.

UCL Fire Technical Note - TN023

Appendix 1

EXTINGUISHER BACKBOARD SIZE & FITTING INFORMATION

Extinguisher
handles to be
mounted
approx 1m *
above the
floor.
600 mm

200 mm

19 mm

At Floor Level: 250* 300*mm from floor to base of backboard

*Approximate measurements relevant to the local circumstances

End

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date Last Amended: Jan 15
5.
Issued by the - Fire Safety Manager, UCL, Estates, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT - This guide is to be regarded as a general statement of UCL local
requirements, information or guidance only & supplements relevant British Standards or Manufacturers Instructions etc.