Fire extinguishers are essential fire safety devices that can help save lives and property in the event of a fire. They are the first line of defense against small fires and can be used to put out a fire before it has a chance to spread and cause significant damage. Therefore, they are called first-aid fire extinguishers.
BIS has published various standards on fire extinguishers related to their performance, reliability, and safety. Out of these standards, the following two are widely used in various building occupancies and industries:
• IS 15683: 2018 Portable Fire Extinguishers — Performance and Construction — Specification (First Revision)
• IS 16018: 2012 Wheeled Fire Extinguishers — Performance and Construction — Specification
1) Portable Fire Extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers are immediately available and can be used by one/two person(s). The weight of a fully charged portable fire extinguishers shall not be more than 17 kg as per IS 15683: 2018.
2) Wheeled Fire Extinguishers
Wheeled fire extinguisher is a fire extinguishing appliance on wheels having a total mass of more than 17 kg and less than 450 kg (with all accessories), which is designed to be operated and transported to the seat of fire even by one person.
The above extinguishers use any of the following media to extinguish/douse the fire:
a) Water;
b) Foam;
c) Dry Chemical Powders — ABC/BC/D Type;
d) Carbon dioxide;
e) Clean agents; and
f) Water mist.
While the extinguishers are relatively easy to operate and use, based on the mechanism to propel the above extinguishing media, suitable training is recommended by the operating personnel.
Depending on the material/object/item under fire, one of the above extinguishing media can be used in the fire extinguishers and marked accordingly on the body of the extinguisher.
The Indian Standard defines the above aspects under “classification of fire”.
Classification of Fire
Class A — Fires involving solid combustible materials of organic nature such as wood, paper, rubber, plastics, etc.
Class B — Fires involving flammable liquids or liquefiable solids (such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc).
Class C — Fires involving flammable gases under pressure including liquefied gases, (like LPG).
Class D — Fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium, aluminium, zinc, sodium, potassium, etc.
Class F — Fires involving cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) in cooking appliances and may be called kitchen fire.
Based on the classification of fire, extinguishers are marked with specific rating relating to a definite period of time for which the extinguishing media will propel out so as to enable in quenching the fire.
Further, based on the threat, amount of combustible material involved, more than one type of extinguishers may have to be installed/used side by side in a building/ occupancy. A separate standard describing the selection, installation, and maintenance criteria namely, IS 2190 is of great help to building professionals.
Towards ensuring the safety of public and property at large, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India has issued a QCO titled ‘the Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023’. This Order makes it mandatory for any manufacturer of fire extinguishers of the above two types to essentially conform their products (extinguishers) to the above-mentioned Indian Standards. As per the Order, the extinguisher manufactured henceforth shall bear a Standard Mark (Mark) under a valid licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
•The QCO was notified through Gazette on 9 August 2023 and comes into force with effect from six months from the date of publication of the notification. For Micro enterprises, as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006), the QCO will come into force with effect from twelve months from the date of publication of the QCO and for Small Enterprises, as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006), it will come into force with effect from nine months of date of publication of QCO.
•QCOs are issued by the Government of India exercising the powers conferred by section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016, stipulating conformity of the products to Indian Standards. QCOs ensure the quality and safety of products for consumer use. So far, there are 556 products (as on 18th Sept 2023) brought under compulsory certification of BIS that can be manufactured, imported, distributed, sold, hired, leased, stored or exhibited for sale only with BIS Standard Mark under a valid licence from BIS.
•Consumers should ensure that they purchase fire extinguishers bearing the “ISI Mark” from the market. In case the consumers wish to compliant about fire extinguishers without ISI Mark or they wish to verify the authenticity of ISI Mark on fire extinguishers they can do so through ‘Verify Licence Details’ feature of BIS Care App (download from Google Play Store) or write to complaints@bis.gov.in
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