Fire Fighting
Supplies

What Is Emergency Lighting? Emergency lighting provides illumination when the normal lighting supply fails, helping people identify escape routes, changes of level, fire exits, and safety equipment during an emergency. In most commercial and communal premises, the need for emergency escape lighting should be considered as part of the fire risk assessment. Government guidance states that where escape routes and exits depend on artificial lighting, adequate emergency lighting should be...

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher Choosing the right fire extinguisher depends on more than simply the size of the building. You need to consider: • The types of fire that could occur • The materials and equipment present • The required fire ratings • Floor area and layout • Travel distances • Specific or specialist hazards Traditionally, different fire risks have been protected using different extinguishing media, such as water, foam, CO₂, dry powder, and wet chemical. Modern multi-risk...

Introduction The number of fire extinguishers required in a premises depends on more than just floor area. In the UK, extinguisher provision should be based on the fire risks present, the size and layout of each storey, the fire ratings of the extinguishers, travel distances, and the findings of the fire risk assessment. For general Class A risks, BS 5306-8:2023 provides guidance on minimum extinguisher provision and required fire ratings. This guide explains the basic calculation and the...