My Basket (0)

School & Office Fire Extinguishers

UK School and Office Fire Extinguishers - Fast Delivery

Fires are dangerous and they cost money – they are also largely preventable. According to the Department for Communities and Local Government, in 2004, fire and rescue services fought 33,400 fires in England and Wales and those fires killed 38 people and injured over 1,300 people. In the same year, it was estimated that the accumulated fire damage cost £2.5 billion.

Ensuring that your school or office is properly supplied with the right kinds of fire extinguishers can mean the difference between a minor incident and a major occurrence. We have a full range of different kinds of fire extinguishers, which are designed for the specific needs of school and office environments.

What type of extinguisher do you need?

9 Item(s)

Filter By Sort By

Grid

Choosing The Right Office and School Fire Extinguishers


Fires in school and office environments in the UK are a costly and dangerous problem. In 2004, the Department for Communities and Local Government reported that fire and rescue services fought more than 33,000 fires in England and Wales; with a total of 38 casualties and over 1,300 injured. According to government statistics the number of fires in both settings grows annually. In selecting the right office or school fire extinguishers, there are a number of factors to consider, such as the volume and types of extinguishers required, and where they should be placed. Thankfully, there are many resources available to help you learn more about fire safety measures in offices and schools, and the types of extinguishers that are required.

Performing a risk assessment

The first thing you should do is perform a risk assessment. Comprehensive risk assessments should be conducted regularly, ensuring you consider every potential health and safety risk, including fire hazards.

Schools have particular hazards and considerations and the HSE provides specific guidance on how to perform a risk assessment for schools or educational premises. There are also specified fire safety recommendations relating to the age of the school building, as older buildings were not constructed according to modern fire safety standards.

Once you have performed a comprehensive risk assessment, it is important to determine the types of fires that could occur, for example, kitchen fires, or fires involving electrical equipment, flammable liquids or other materials.

When you have determined the areas where fire hazards exist and considered the types of fires that are likely to occur, you are ready to decide on the types of extinguishers required.

The best types of fire extinguishers for schools and offices

There are many types of fire extinguishers which are designed to fight specific kinds of fires using different methods. It is essential to match the right type of fire extinguisher with the kind of fire it is designed to combat. If the wrong extinguisher is used it is unlikely to be effective and can even cause more damage.

Different types of fire extinguishers are colour-coded so that they can be easily identified. Here are some of the most common types:

A dry powder extinguisher such as our ABC Powder Fire Extinguisher can be used against Class A, B and C fires, and can also be used as an electrical fire extinguisher. It is effective against fires involving wood, paper, textiles, oils and flammable liquids, such as diesel and gas. These extinguishers are ideal for a variety of school and office settings and can be installed along corridors and in hallways, where they will be easy to access. See our full range of Fire Extinguisher Storage & Accessories for all of your extinguisher display and storage needs.

A Foam Fire Extinguisher is effective against Class A and B fires, and can also be used on electrical fires. It is important to note though, that the foam will permanently damage the electrical equipment. Foam fire extinguishers are useful for school science labs, workshops and office storage rooms, as they are effective against fires involving wood, paper, textiles, oils and flammable liquids such as petrol.

A CO2 Fire Extinguisher is ideal for electrical fires, and can also be used on Class B and E fires. These extinguishers can be used on electrical fires without completely damaging the equipment. This makes them ideal for school computer labs and IT rooms, along with tech-dense offices. Electrical equipment is a significant investment for schools and offices, and a CO2 fire extinguisher will effectively fight fires, while causing minimal damage to the electrical equipment - unlike foam extinguishers, which will destroy the equipment.

A Water Fire Extinguisher is one of the most commonly used fire extinguishers. These can be used on Class A fires – which include fires involving paper, plastics and textiles. These extinguishers can be installed in workshops, storage areas, classrooms and on office floors.

A Wet chemical fire extinguisher is designed specifically for fire hazards that occur in kitchens, such as burning oils or fats. Extinguishers such as the Kitchen/Canteen Fire Bundle Kit can also be used on Class F fires. Fires in kitchens, including office canteens and cafeterias, are not only dangerous, but they can also cause expensive damage to the building and cause major disruption. Wet chemical extinguishers are ideal for canteens and cafeterias, where a toaster, microwave or oven can cause fires.

You can learn more about the different types of fire extinguishers, the kinds of fires they can be used on, and how they fight fires in our Fire Extinguishers Guide.

Where should you place extinguishers in schools and offices?

When choosing where to install fire extinguishers, consideration should be given to the types of rooms where they will be needed, and the potential fires that could break out in those particular settings. For example, while a wet chemical fire extinguisher will be perfect for a cafeteria, it will not be the best choice for a gymnasium or school computer lab.

ABC fire extinguishers are versatile and are effective against a range of different types of fires. They can be installed in areas such as hallways, science labs and computer labs, as well as classrooms and office floors.

An extensive risk assessment will help you to identify the areas that need fire extinguishers, and the types of fire extinguishers required. Your risk assessment should also involve consideration of the best places to install fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers should be installed in highly visible places that are easily accessible in an emergency. We offers a number of convenient installation options for fire extinguishers, including the Premium Office Fire Bundle Kit and Office Fire Bundle Kit, which contain both fire extinguishers and informational signs in one compact kit.

Other ways to enhance fire safety

Employers are required by law to maintain safe working environments and provide adequate protection against fires, so it is important to take extra care regarding fire safety in the workplace. In addition to installing fire extinguishers, there are additional steps that employers can take to improve fire safety at school, as well as office fire safety.
Some of these steps include:

  • Developing emergency response plans and running regular fire drills for staff and students

  • Providing adequate training for staff where needed

  • Reviewing your stock of fire safety equipment and restocking when necessary

  • Regularly checking fire alarms and detection systems to ensure that they are active

  • Keeping fire exits clear and well maintained

  • Taking steps to avoid accidental fires by keeping flammable substances apart and practising good housekeeping, so that rubbish is less likely to ignite

  • Routinely reassessing your risk assessment and emergency response plan


These are just a few ways employers can improve fire safety for the staff, visitors, students and clients who enter school and office environments. To learn more about improving fire safety, employer liability and emergency response planning, you can refer to the HSE’s guidelines on Fire Safety.