Understanding fire extinguisher regulations in South Africa
In the right hands – preferably those of a trained Fire Warden – a fire extinguisher is a highly effective, easy-to-use firefighting tool that can be used to control or extinguish small fires. As such, having easy access to an extinguisher during a fire emergency can save business owners thousands, if not millions, of Rands in damage – not to mention save the lives of employees and the public.
Fire extinguisher laws in South Africa govern the provision, use, and maintenance of fire extinguishers in the workplace. Having the correct number of extinguishers readily available and regularly serviced isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a legal requirement.
In this article, we’ll identify important legislation around fire extinguisher requirements for workplaces and answer common questions relating to fire extinguisher maintenance, servicing, and signage.
Which laws govern the legal requirements for fire extinguishers in the workplace?
National fire extinguisher laws
National fire extinguisher regulations in South Africa include those stipulated by the South African National Standards (SANS) codes, published by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), and the Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Act Pressure Equipment Regulation 19.
Businesses need to comply with the following SANS codes and legislation:
· SANS 10400-T – National Building Regulations: Fire Protection
· SANS 1475 Part 1 & 2 – South African National Standard for the servicing and manufacturing of fire extinguishers
· SANS 10105 – Requirements around the provision, placement, and use of portable and mobile fire extinguishers
· SANS 1186 – Emergency signage requirements for fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment
· OHS Act 85 of 1993, Pressure Equipment Regulation 19 – Regulation stating that fire extinguisher supply and servicing must be done by accredited providers only
Regional fire extinguisher laws
Local municipalities impose additional municipal fire safety by-laws over and above national legislation and SANS codes. Regulations may differ from province to province, so businesses can also consult their local municipality for clarification on regional requirements.
How many fire extinguishers are required in an office?
For low-risk, administrative office environments, a general rule of thumb for the number of fire extinguishers needed is one extinguisher per 200m2. However, this by no means applies across the board, and the onus is on businesses to ensure that they provide sufficient firefighting equipment for their occupancy class as per the requirements laid out in SANS 10400-T and stipulated by local authorities.
The best way to ensure fire equipment compliance and adequate fire safety coverage is to consult a fire risk consultant or get a Health & Safety Practitioner to conduct an OHS Equipment Assessment on site. An accredited professional will take your building occupancy class, size, construction, and layout into account, and factor in the work done on site, to determine how many fire extinguishers (and what kind) are needed. They will also be able to guide you on the best fire extinguisher locations to ensure that they are readily accessible to employees when needed most.
What are the fire extinguisher maintenance and service requirements?
Complying with fire extinguisher service requirements is a vital aspect of fire safety compliance. SANS 1475 Part 1 & 2 stipulates that fire extinguishers must be serviced annually by a SAQCC-accredited technician. Once the technician has serviced your extinguishers, they will provide you with a fire equipment register, containing essential information relating to each individual extinguisher, including what kind of extinguisher it is, where it is mounted, when last it was serviced, when the next service is due, and when your next pressure test is due.
Your servicing company will also provide you with a fire equipment servicing certificate of compliance (COC), which your insurance provider will require as proof that your fire extinguishers were serviced as per SANS 1475 Part 1 & 2.
In addition, all fire extinguishers must be inspected by a trained Fire Warden on a monthly basis. During these checks, Fire Wardens must assess the overall condition of the extinguisher, checking for dents or rust. They must ensure that the instruction label is clear and legible, check the service label for upcoming service dates, and inspect the discharge hose, nozzle, handle, safety pin, seal, and pressure gauge.
What fire extinguisher signage requirements do businesses need to be aware of?
SANS 1186 deals with rules and regulations for fire extinguisher signage. The most important points include the following:
· All fire extinguisher signage should be coloured red and white.
· The bottom of the sign should be positioned 2–2.5m from the ground.
· All signage used on the inside of buildings should be constructed of photoluminescent material.
· Where buildings are to be used during the hours of darkness these signs must be illuminated.
· The most common size of signage used is 190mm x 190mm, however 150mm x 150mm cab signs can be used in small offices. Signs measuring 290mm x 290mm are recommended for use in larger warehouses.
· Outdoor signage should either be constructed of steel or rust-resistant Chromadek.
What are the risks of non-compliance with fire extinguisher regulations?
The most obvious risk of not having sufficient or correct fire extinguishers in place is that should a fire break out, your team will be ill-prepared to control or extinguish the fire. This not only puts lives at risk, but also puts your premises and business at risk of financial losses due to extensive damage and downtime.
Should the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) Inspectors inspect your premises and find that your firefighting equipment does not comply with SANS codes and local municipal fire safety by-laws, they may serve a Contravention Notice.
Non-compliance also carries serious insurance risks. Should a fire take place on your premises, and it transpires that your fire extinguishers were not checked on a monthly basis or serviced annually, your insurance company may immediately repudiate the claim.
With the right OHS service provider, compliance is easier than it sounds.
National and regional regulations around fire extinguishers can become complex, especially in high-risk industries. Ensure that you’re on the right side of the law by choosing a reputable, accredited OHS provider to assist you with your firefighting equipment compliance needs.
First Aid, Fire and Safety Training (FAFST) is a SABS-registered firefighting equipment servicing company providing accredited fire extinguisher servicing and supply. Our fire safety experts conduct on-site fire inspections to assess your compliance status and identify gaps in your firefighting equipment setup. We also offer accredited Firefighting training for Fire Wardens.
