Compliance with fire safety rules is to a large extent connected with the technical provision of facilities with appropriate equipment. This can be a means of storing materials for extinguishing fires, modular installations for water supply, barrier panels, etc. Depending on the requirements for security at a particular object, one or another scheme of equipment with protective equipment is chosen. However, the simplest component of this infrastructure, which is used in almost all critical facilities, is a fire extinguisher. It is easy to maintain and operate, therefore it is widely popular in various fields as a tool for effective fire control. But to get the most out of its function, you should determine the most profitable placement in advance. Moreover, the question of where the fire extinguisher should be located does not require an independent answer - there are special rules and regulations that already spell out the requirements for installing such equipment.
General rules for choosing a fire extinguisher
A modern fire extinguisher is presented in various versions, which allows you to accurately select the model for specific needs. The choice takes into account the type and class of equipment, as well as the quantity. That is, the physicochemical properties of the fire extinguishing mixture are taken into account, and the coverage area of the area at risk is calculated. It is especially important to keep in mind the limitations that apply to certain types of devices. For example, powder models are not recommended for use in rooms where electrical appliances that are under load are installed. In cases of servicing work facilities with employees, the issue of safe fire extinguishing is also of particular importance in terms of minimizing harm to people. Where should a fire extinguisher be located in a room with people? Choose should be closed, but at the same time accessible to staff sites. On the one hand, a partially closed layout allows you to prevent risks arising from a violation of the tightness of a fire extinguisher, and on the other hand, it should not impede the operational prevention of the spread of fire.
Categories of premises in terms of fire safety
There are 5 categories of premises that differ in the requirements for the use of fire fighting equipment. They are mainly distinguished by the area that affects the requests for the power of the fire extinguisher. Other aspects may also affect the classification, including the nature of the operation or the use of specialized equipment. Categories A-B involve the use of flammable gases and flammable liquids. Where should a fire extinguisher be located in the premises of an enterprise working with such materials? In this case, it is important to calculate the distance to a potential source of ignition: the equipment should be located 30 m from the same flammable substances. As a rule, these are premises with an area of 200-400 m2, so there should not be any special difficulties in choosing a place. If the matter concerns objects of categories G and D, then carbon dioxide fire extinguishers may be required . They are located away from sources of danger at a distance of up to 70 m. By the way, the area of premises of these categories varies from 800 to 1800 m2.
Checking the fire extinguisher before installation
To allow the fire extinguisher to operate, a thorough check of its integrity and performance is necessary. In fact, this is the first scheduled inspection, which in the future should be carried out at least once every 5 years. So, during the inspection, the responsible employee must assess the tightness of the surface condition of the housing, inspect it for dents and swellings. It is important to pay attention to the signs of corrosion, even the smallest spot in the future can lead to destruction of the structure and unsuitability of the device for operation. The auxiliary functional parts on the housing are also tested. These can be gaskets, cuffs and other gaskets and fittings, on which the ergonomics of the product depend. Next, we can proceed to answer the question of where the fire extinguisher should be located. The use of this fire fighting tool involves not only the organization of the installation site to ensure convenient handling, but also compliance with the requirements for the protection of its design. Therefore, the safety of the fire extinguisher itself is a paramount factor that must be considered when placing it.
Fire extinguisher security at installation site
In this part, a lot depends on the conditions in which the room is operated. External factors of influence are determined by the requirements for the microclimate, and the features of the work process at the enterprise. Often, due to the inability to change the conditions for the use of a fire extinguisher, the most protected type is selected, regardless of the effectiveness of its function in a particular case. But, of course, there should always be a place for a compromise, since you cannot save on security. One way or another, the rules for maintaining fire extinguishers in most cases exclude the direct effect of heat fluxes, sunlight, mechanical pressure, etc. If you plan to equip a room with increased vibration indicators, the question of where the fire extinguisher should be located in the room is decided taking into account inclusion of additional damping devices. These can be structures with shells that cushion vibrations that affect the body of the fire extinguisher.
Basic rules for placing fire extinguishers
When a suitable fire extinguisher is selected and its technical and operational condition is checked, installation can begin. The most common manual models are recommended to be fixed in cabinets and on wall brackets. In both cases, the instructions on the fire extinguisher body must be facing the outside so that if necessary the user can familiarize themselves with them without delay. Also, the locking trigger must have a seal. If a cabinet is used to hold equipment, then its door must be sealed. It has already been noted that questions about where a fire extinguisher should be located are being addressed taking into account the type of room. In this sense, the location of fire hazardous substances will be one of the key factors determining the position of the device. But also a fire extinguisher should be removed from the functional areas, openings, windows and doors used. In other words, areas where any physical activity is possible cannot be used to install a fire extinguisher.
Effect of fire extinguisher mass on location
There is a fundamental separation of fire extinguishers by weight - from and to 15 kg. The most common compact manual models that are allowed to carry. The main rule of their installation is to maintain the altitude level - as a rule, they are recommended to be installed 1.5 m from the floor. Now another question - where should a fire extinguisher be located, the mass of which exceeds 15 kg? If the total weight corresponds to the indicated figure or exceeds it, then a restrictive height limit already applies. In such cases, the same cabinets or supporting brackets can be installed at a height not exceeding 1 m.
Where and how should a water-type fire extinguisher be located?
There are special rules for this category of extinguishing media. By the way, this applies not only to water, but in most modifications and foam models. Fire extinguishers of this type are sensitive to temperatures, both elevated and negative. This does not mean that their use should be limited in places with unstable temperature conditions, however, it is necessary to prepare for changing storage conditions of devices. For example, for cold weather in unheated rooms, such equipment is removed. Typically, a critical point is a mode with a temperature below 5 ° C. Therefore, to comply with the operating rules of water and foam fire extinguishers in the room, a thermostat with registration of current microclimate indicators should also be provided.
Accommodation at high fire hazard facilities
Facilities whose operation is associated with increased risks of fire and explosion must contain special areas for fire fighting equipment. It can be, for example, chemical industry enterprises. In such cases, the question of where the fire extinguisher should be located is particularly acute. The characteristics of the device often become the determining factor in choosing a particular installation location - for example, carbon dioxide models with a jet length of less than 3 m and a water vapor content of more than 0.006% by weight should be kept as far as possible from electrical equipment. To do this, whole complexes are organized in the form of shields with barriers to minimize possible harmful effects on the design of fire extinguishers. At the same time, the functions of the devices remain standard and are not adjusted.
Where should a fire extinguisher (RZD) be located?
In railroad cars, fire extinguishers of all common types can be used, including powder, foam, air-emulsion, etc. The installation is most often carried out from the side of the vestibule in small corridors. It does not matter if the platform is used or not. In addition, carbon dioxide models can be fixed on the partition of the dining room - that is, on the opposite side relative to the distribution cabinet. Moreover, the number of devices in the car depends on how its technical facilities are completed. The question of where the fire extinguisher should be located in the car also affects the engine room, boiler rooms and other office space. In each case, the installation is carried out according to general rules with a height level exposure.
Fire extinguisher safety precautions
Fire extinguisher models used in factories can be harmful to human health. For example, some modifications are able to have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects on the body. Therefore, during the operation of the device, personal protective equipment should also be used that protects the skin, gastrointestinal tract and mucous membranes from damage. In addition, questions about where the fire extinguisher should be located and its application in terms of maintaining environmental safety are also being addressed with the expectation of the safe disposal of charges. For example, the used foaming solution of a fire extinguisher should be promptly liquidated so that after discharge into the sewer a local cleaning of the channel is carried out.
Conclusion
Almost no production and public facility of urban infrastructure is complete without modern means of ensuring fire safety. The effectiveness of special equipment is determined not only by the main characteristics, but also by the organization of its use. Where the fire extinguisher should be located and its purpose are closely related issues. For example, the standard powder model is well suited for working with flammable mixtures, solvents and chemically active liquids. Therefore, it can be safely applied at oil refineries. And carbon dioxide modifications are sensitive to electrical appliances, so when installing them, the location of the outlets should be taken into account.