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Fire Extinguishers & Equipment

Fire extinguishers are for those first seconds when something's gone wrong and you need it dealt with fast, before it takes the job with it.

On site you need the right type in the right spot, not a random red can in the corner. This range covers workplace fire extinguishers, fire blankets, stands, cabinets and signage so your on site fire safety is sorted and compliant.

What Jobs Are Fire Extinguishers Best At?

  • Stopping a small electrical fire at a temporary board, charger station, or van inverter point by using the correct CO2 fire extinguisher equipment before it spreads into the cabin or welfare.
  • Dealing with flammable liquid risks in workshops and plant areas, where foam fire extinguishers are commonly used for spills and ignition around fuels, solvents, and mixed site stores.
  • Covering hot works and refurbs where sparks and dust are everywhere, using suitable site fire extinguishers and fire blankets close to the task so you are not running across the job when it kicks off.
  • Protecting welfare units, offices, and commercial areas with clearly positioned workplace fire extinguishers, fire safety signage, and cabinets so everyone can find the kit instantly in an emergency.
  • Backing up general site fire risk management with fire buckets and fire fighting equipment at high risk points like cutting stations, generator areas, and waste skips.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguishers

Sort the right one by the risk in front of you, not what looks tidy on the wall, because the wrong extinguisher can make the situation worse.

1. Match the extinguisher type to the fire risk

If you are covering electrics, a CO2 fire extinguisher is the common site choice because it does not soak live gear. If you are dealing with timber, packaging, and general combustibles, water fire extinguishers are the usual fit. For kitchens and cooking oils, do not guess, go wet chemical.

2. Think about where it lives day to day

If it is going in a corridor, welfare, or public facing area, use fire extinguisher stands or cabinets so it stays visible and does not get knocked over. If it is outdoors or in a dusty yard, a cabinet stops it getting wrecked before you ever need it.

3. Go for recognised standards and clear labelling

For UK fire extinguishers, look for clear ratings and BS EN 3 marking so you know what you are actually buying for workplace fire protection. If the label is vague, the training and the response on site will be vague too.

Fire Extinguishers and Fire Safety Equipment FAQs

Which fire extinguisher do I actually need for a construction site?

It depends on the risks on that job, not the building type. Most sites cover a mix of general combustibles and electrics, so you will typically see water or foam for general areas and CO2 near temporary electrics, but your fire risk assessment should decide what is required and where it is positioned.

Are CO2 fire extinguishers the right choice for electrical fires?

For live electrical equipment, CO2 is commonly used on UK sites because it does not soak the gear and it leaves minimal residue. The important bit is placement, keep it close to the distribution board, charging area, or plant room so it is there when you need it.

Do powder fire extinguishers make a mess, and does it matter?

Yes, powder is effective but it gets everywhere and can cause damage to sensitive electrics and machinery. They are often used for outdoor and vehicle risks, but for offices, comms areas, and clean environments, CO2 is usually the more sensible option.

What does BS EN 3 mean on UK fire extinguishers?

BS EN 3 is the key standard used for portable fire extinguishers in the UK and Europe. In plain terms, it is a sign the extinguisher is made and rated to a recognised benchmark, with clear labelling so you know what types of fire it is designed to tackle.

Do I need fire extinguisher stands or cabinets, or can I just leave them on the floor?

If you leave them loose, they get knocked over, buried, or walked off, and then they are useless when it matters. Stands work well for temporary site set ups and welfare, and cabinets are the better choice outdoors or anywhere the extinguisher will get battered by weather and dust.

Where should fire extinguishers be placed on site?

Put them where the risk is and where people can reach them fast, such as welfare units, site offices, hot works areas, and near temporary electrics, not hidden behind stored materials. Use fire safety signage so anyone can spot them quickly, including new starters and visiting trades.

Who Are Fire Extinguishers For on Site?

  • Site managers and supervisors who need construction fire extinguishers positioned correctly for fire safety compliance and quick checks during inspections.
  • Sparks and maintenance teams working around temporary electrics, plant rooms, and comms cabinets, where CO2 is the usual call for live electrical risks.
  • Fitters, fabricators, and anyone doing hot works who need emergency fire equipment within arm's reach, not locked away at the other end of site.
  • Facilities and commercial teams kitting out offices, warehouses, and workshops with industrial fire extinguishers, stands, cabinets, and signage that stays put and stays visible.

The Basics: Understanding Fire Extinguishers

Extinguishers are not one size fits all. The key is knowing what each type is meant to knock down, so you can place the right fire safety equipment where it will actually be used.

1. Water and Foam (general site combustibles and mixed risks)

Water fire extinguishers are typically used for wood, paper, and general combustibles, the sort of stuff you get in site offices and stores. Foam fire extinguishers are often used where there is a chance of flammable liquid involvement, like workshops and plant areas, but you still need to follow the label and your fire risk assessment.

2. CO2 (electrical and equipment areas)

CO2 fire extinguishers are the usual pick around live electrics because they do not leave the same mess as water or powder, which matters in comms rooms, temporary boards, and offices. They are a targeted tool, so placement close to the electrical risk is what makes them useful.

3. Powder and Wet Chemical (specialist problems)

Powder fire extinguishers are often chosen for mixed outdoor and vehicle risks, but they are messy and can wreck sensitive kit, so do not put them where a cleaner option is needed. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are for cooking oils and fats, so they belong in kitchens and canteens, not general site areas.

Fire Extinguisher Equipment That Keeps Kit Visible and Ready

Extinguishers only help if they are easy to find, protected from damage, and stored where the risk actually is.

1. Fire Extinguisher Stands

A stand stops extinguishers getting kicked into a corner or buried behind materials, which is exactly what happens on busy sites. They are ideal for welfare units, corridors, and temporary set ups where you cannot or should not drill into walls.

2. Fire Extinguisher Cabinets

Cabinets keep portable fire extinguishers clean, dry, and readable, especially outdoors, in yards, or near cutting stations where dust and knocks are guaranteed. It also makes daily and weekly checks quicker because the kit has a proper home.

3. Fire Safety Signage

Signage is what stops people wasting time hunting when the alarm is going and visibility is poor. Mark the location clearly so new starters, subbies, and visitors can get to the fire fighting equipment without being talked through it.

4. Fire Blankets and Fire Buckets

A fire blanket is a simple bit of emergency fire equipment for small incidents and clothing fires, and it is a sensible add on for welfare and hot works areas. Fire buckets are still used on sites for quick response points near high risk zones, especially where water is the practical first step.

Why Shop for Fire Extinguishers at ITS?

Whether you need a single portable extinguisher for a van, a full set for welfare and site stores, or the right fire extinguisher equipment like stands, cabinets, blankets and signage, we stock the range for proper workplace fire protection. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get compliant and get the job moving.

Read more

Fire Extinguishers & Equipment

Fire extinguishers are for those first seconds when something's gone wrong and you need it dealt with fast, before it takes the job with it.

On site you need the right type in the right spot, not a random red can in the corner. This range covers workplace fire extinguishers, fire blankets, stands, cabinets and signage so your on site fire safety is sorted and compliant.

What Jobs Are Fire Extinguishers Best At?

  • Stopping a small electrical fire at a temporary board, charger station, or van inverter point by using the correct CO2 fire extinguisher equipment before it spreads into the cabin or welfare.
  • Dealing with flammable liquid risks in workshops and plant areas, where foam fire extinguishers are commonly used for spills and ignition around fuels, solvents, and mixed site stores.
  • Covering hot works and refurbs where sparks and dust are everywhere, using suitable site fire extinguishers and fire blankets close to the task so you are not running across the job when it kicks off.
  • Protecting welfare units, offices, and commercial areas with clearly positioned workplace fire extinguishers, fire safety signage, and cabinets so everyone can find the kit instantly in an emergency.
  • Backing up general site fire risk management with fire buckets and fire fighting equipment at high risk points like cutting stations, generator areas, and waste skips.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguishers

Sort the right one by the risk in front of you, not what looks tidy on the wall, because the wrong extinguisher can make the situation worse.

1. Match the extinguisher type to the fire risk

If you are covering electrics, a CO2 fire extinguisher is the common site choice because it does not soak live gear. If you are dealing with timber, packaging, and general combustibles, water fire extinguishers are the usual fit. For kitchens and cooking oils, do not guess, go wet chemical.

2. Think about where it lives day to day

If it is going in a corridor, welfare, or public facing area, use fire extinguisher stands or cabinets so it stays visible and does not get knocked over. If it is outdoors or in a dusty yard, a cabinet stops it getting wrecked before you ever need it.

3. Go for recognised standards and clear labelling

For UK fire extinguishers, look for clear ratings and BS EN 3 marking so you know what you are actually buying for workplace fire protection. If the label is vague, the training and the response on site will be vague too.

Fire Extinguishers and Fire Safety Equipment FAQs

Which fire extinguisher do I actually need for a construction site?

It depends on the risks on that job, not the building type. Most sites cover a mix of general combustibles and electrics, so you will typically see water or foam for general areas and CO2 near temporary electrics, but your fire risk assessment should decide what is required and where it is positioned.

Are CO2 fire extinguishers the right choice for electrical fires?

For live electrical equipment, CO2 is commonly used on UK sites because it does not soak the gear and it leaves minimal residue. The important bit is placement, keep it close to the distribution board, charging area, or plant room so it is there when you need it.

Do powder fire extinguishers make a mess, and does it matter?

Yes, powder is effective but it gets everywhere and can cause damage to sensitive electrics and machinery. They are often used for outdoor and vehicle risks, but for offices, comms areas, and clean environments, CO2 is usually the more sensible option.

What does BS EN 3 mean on UK fire extinguishers?

BS EN 3 is the key standard used for portable fire extinguishers in the UK and Europe. In plain terms, it is a sign the extinguisher is made and rated to a recognised benchmark, with clear labelling so you know what types of fire it is designed to tackle.

Do I need fire extinguisher stands or cabinets, or can I just leave them on the floor?

If you leave them loose, they get knocked over, buried, or walked off, and then they are useless when it matters. Stands work well for temporary site set ups and welfare, and cabinets are the better choice outdoors or anywhere the extinguisher will get battered by weather and dust.

Where should fire extinguishers be placed on site?

Put them where the risk is and where people can reach them fast, such as welfare units, site offices, hot works areas, and near temporary electrics, not hidden behind stored materials. Use fire safety signage so anyone can spot them quickly, including new starters and visiting trades.

Who Are Fire Extinguishers For on Site?

  • Site managers and supervisors who need construction fire extinguishers positioned correctly for fire safety compliance and quick checks during inspections.
  • Sparks and maintenance teams working around temporary electrics, plant rooms, and comms cabinets, where CO2 is the usual call for live electrical risks.
  • Fitters, fabricators, and anyone doing hot works who need emergency fire equipment within arm's reach, not locked away at the other end of site.
  • Facilities and commercial teams kitting out offices, warehouses, and workshops with industrial fire extinguishers, stands, cabinets, and signage that stays put and stays visible.

The Basics: Understanding Fire Extinguishers

Extinguishers are not one size fits all. The key is knowing what each type is meant to knock down, so you can place the right fire safety equipment where it will actually be used.

1. Water and Foam (general site combustibles and mixed risks)

Water fire extinguishers are typically used for wood, paper, and general combustibles, the sort of stuff you get in site offices and stores. Foam fire extinguishers are often used where there is a chance of flammable liquid involvement, like workshops and plant areas, but you still need to follow the label and your fire risk assessment.

2. CO2 (electrical and equipment areas)

CO2 fire extinguishers are the usual pick around live electrics because they do not leave the same mess as water or powder, which matters in comms rooms, temporary boards, and offices. They are a targeted tool, so placement close to the electrical risk is what makes them useful.

3. Powder and Wet Chemical (specialist problems)

Powder fire extinguishers are often chosen for mixed outdoor and vehicle risks, but they are messy and can wreck sensitive kit, so do not put them where a cleaner option is needed. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are for cooking oils and fats, so they belong in kitchens and canteens, not general site areas.

Fire Extinguisher Equipment That Keeps Kit Visible and Ready

Extinguishers only help if they are easy to find, protected from damage, and stored where the risk actually is.

1. Fire Extinguisher Stands

A stand stops extinguishers getting kicked into a corner or buried behind materials, which is exactly what happens on busy sites. They are ideal for welfare units, corridors, and temporary set ups where you cannot or should not drill into walls.

2. Fire Extinguisher Cabinets

Cabinets keep portable fire extinguishers clean, dry, and readable, especially outdoors, in yards, or near cutting stations where dust and knocks are guaranteed. It also makes daily and weekly checks quicker because the kit has a proper home.

3. Fire Safety Signage

Signage is what stops people wasting time hunting when the alarm is going and visibility is poor. Mark the location clearly so new starters, subbies, and visitors can get to the fire fighting equipment without being talked through it.

4. Fire Blankets and Fire Buckets

A fire blanket is a simple bit of emergency fire equipment for small incidents and clothing fires, and it is a sensible add on for welfare and hot works areas. Fire buckets are still used on sites for quick response points near high risk zones, especially where water is the practical first step.

Why Shop for Fire Extinguishers at ITS?

Whether you need a single portable extinguisher for a van, a full set for welfare and site stores, or the right fire extinguisher equipment like stands, cabinets, blankets and signage, we stock the range for proper workplace fire protection. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get compliant and get the job moving.

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