Fire Fighting Equipment and Measures

For premises covered by the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, the workplace must be equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment where necessary.

A competent person (internal or external) must assist in determining the necessity for fire-fighting equipment and the extent to which such provision is appropriate for the workplace.

Any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment so provided must be easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.

Necessity for Fire-Fighting Equipment

In judging the necessity for fire-fighting equipment, account must be taken of:

• the features of the workplace;
• the activities carried on there;
• any hazards present; and
• any other relevant circumstances.

Appropriateness & Extent of Fire-Fighting Equipment

In judging the appropriateness of the extent to which the workplace must be equipped with fire-fighting equipment, account must be taken of:

• the dimensions and use of the building housing the workplace;
• the equipment it contains;
• the physical and chemical properties of the substances likely to be present;
• the maximum number of people who may be present at any one time.

Fire-fighting equipment required may include fire extinguishing appliances, fire extinguishing systems or both. The siting and selection or combination of equipment requires specialist knowledge.