Portable Fire Extinguishers

Compliance of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers where required to be provided shall be constructed to conform with SS EN 3 Specifications for Portable Fire Extinguishers. All portable fire extinguishers, where required to be provided, shall be charged, tested and maintained in fully operational condition and properly tagged to conform with SS 578 Code of Practice for Use and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers provided shall be installed and conspicuously marked in accordance with requirements by SS 578.

Selection of Portable Fire Extinguishers

The appropriate class of portable fire extinguishers shall be selected in accordance with SS 578 such that the nature of processes and contents within the building concerned can be effectively protected. The size, quantity and siting of these portable fire extinguishers shall comply with the requirements in SS 578 under the respective class of occupancy hazard.

Purchase of portable fire extinguishers

When purchasing a portable fire extinguisher, home owners may wish to look out for the following: 

• serial labels, issued by the Certification Body (recognised by SCDF), are affixed to the extinguisher body; 
• the extinguisher is full by weighing or hefting it;
• there is no obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage or clogged nozzle; and
• the pressure gauge reading or indicator is in the operative range. 

Inspection of fire extinguishers

The owner or occupant should conduct inspections of the extinguishers on at least a monthly basis to check:

• the extinguisher is not obstructed or hidden;
• the operating instructions on the extinguisher label are legible and facing outward;
• the extinguisher is full by weighing or hefting it;
• there is no obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage or clogged nozzle; and
• the pressure gauge reading or indicator is in the operative range. 

Servicing, Maintenance and Disposal of Portable Fire Extinguishers