Fire Extinguisher Servicing Requirements

Every organisation in NSW, from a small coffee shop to a multiple franchise corporation, is bound by certain Acts and Regulations and standards regarding fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers can help to manage or minimise a fire emergency and prevent it from becoming a disaster. It is vital to have up-to-date, serviced, and ready to deploy fire extinguishers.

In Australia fire extinguishers are required to be installed to meet building compliance, which is outlined in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volumes 1 & 2; and Australian standard 2444.2001 “Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets – Selection and Location”. This Australian standard outlines the minimum requirements for location, amount, and type of fire extinguishers.

Fire Extinguishers are fitted in compliance to the BCA and AS2444 and other factors such as:

• Type of hazards (types of fires, amount of fuel loadings)
• Building layout and fire engineering
• If the building has sprinklers
• Type of extinguisher to suit location
• Construction, class of the building, and use of building (e.g. office or warehouse setting)
• If building has fire blankets and fire hose reels
• Other factors such as use of areas

When determining fire extinguishers, the technicians consider multiple aspects such as the following:

• Type of fires (Classes of fires) in Australia there are 6 classes of fire we follow Class A- Class F
• Type and size (Classification) of Fire Extinguisher
• Location and access to extinguisher

When fire extinguishers are fitted, regular servicing is required. In Australia we follow Australian standard 1851- 2012. This Australian standard outlines minimum requirements, service requirements and how often, and type of service.

All staff are to be trained and have knowledge on how the business manages emergencies. Workplace Emergency Management conducts fire extinguisher training that is site-specific and tailored to all kinds of workplaces – including childcare, aged care, retail, and warehousing. This training is comprehensive and covers any fire emergencies that a business may come across. Workplace Emergency Management can help businesses to be compliant to legislation and Australian Standards to ensure worker safety, public safety, and compliance.