Choosing the right fire extinguisher for business premises in Malaysia is not just a regulatory requirement. It is a critical decision that could save lives and protect your assets.
Whether you operate a bustling retail outlet or a sprawling manufacturing plant, understanding the several types of fire extinguishers is essential.
Our guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting, maintaining, and using fire extinguishers in your business setting.
What to Consider for Fire Extinguishers for Business
Ensuring the safety of your business premises in Malaysia involves more than just having fire extinguishers on hand.
Let us delve into the critical areas to consider to help you fortify your business against fire emergencies.
1. Nature of Business
Various industries come with different fire risks, necessitating specific types of fire extinguishers for businesses.
From Class A fires involving everyday materials like paper and wood to the more specialised Class D fires involving flammable metals, each type of fire requires a particular extinguishing agent.
Here are the six fire classes you should know:
- Class A: For fires involving common flammable solid materials like wood, paper, fabric, plastic, coal, and similar substances.
- Class B: For fires arising from the ignition of flammable liquids, including greases, various oils (excluding cooking oils), gasoline, petrol, diesel, kerosene, paints, alcohol and others.
- Class C: For fires resulting from the ignition of flammable gases such as butane, propane, methane, hydrogen, acetylene, and natural gas.
- Class D: For fires involving combustible metals like aluminium, lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and their alloys.
- Class E: For fires associated with electrical equipment, fuse boxes and other apparatus.
- Class F: For fires originating from overheated cooking oils, fats, and greases.
2. Size of Premises
The size of your business premises also plays a pivotal role in determining how many fire extinguishers you need.
For optimal safety, it is recommended to have one 9kg ABC fire extinguisher for every 500 square feet of work area.
On the other hand, in spaces dense with electronics and wirings, such as a server room, a 2kg CO2 fire extinguisher is recommended for every 500 square feet. This ensures that no matter where a fire breaks out, an extinguisher is within easy reach.
3. Fire Hazard Levels
Understanding fire hazard levels is crucial for effectively safeguarding your premises against fires.
These levels range from light, which presents minimal risk, to extra, indicating a high fire risk due to substantial amounts of combustible materials.
An often overlooked but critical aspect of fire safety is the “Fire Rating” of an extinguisher, which comprises a number and a letter.
The number indicates the size of the fire that can be extinguished, and the letter indicates the class of fire it can extinguish.
The higher the number, the greater the extinguishing power of the device, enabling it to handle larger fires. In determining the fire rating of your workplace, you will need to multiply the total area in square metres, or m2, by 0.065.
4. Suitable Placements
The effectiveness of a fire extinguisher is as much about its correct placement as it is about its type. Fire extinguishers should be mounted within easy reach, clearly marked, and positioned within 20 metres of any point on the premises.
5. Inspection and Maintenance
Annual inspections and servicing are imperative to maintain the readiness and effectiveness of your fire extinguishers.
Adhering to the regulations set forth by the Fire Services Act 1988 of Malaysia, these annual checks ensure that your fire extinguishers will function as intended when needed.
This will also extend the lifespan of the fire extinguisher and potentially save lives and property.
Read More: Fire Extinguisher Renewal Malaysia: What is a BOMBA License
How to Effectively Use a Fire Extinguisher for Business
Here are four key steps and considerations for using a fire extinguisher effectively in a business environment:
1. Assess the Situation
In a fire emergency, it is vital to ensure your own safety as well as others before attempting to put out a fire.
Do not attempt to extinguish a fire if it is larger than you. Instead, promptly contact the Fire and Rescue Department and proceed to the nearest fire exit quickly.
On the other hand, for fires that are smaller and not taller than you, select an appropriate fire extinguisher based on the type of fire you are dealing with.
2. Strategically Position Yourself
Ensure you are near a fire exit to guarantee an unobstructed and swift evacuation if necessary.
Stand at a safe distance where you can effectively use the fire extinguisher without the risk of sustaining burns.
3. Apply the ‘PASS’ Technique
Once in the correct position, utilise the PASS method to operate the fire extinguisher properly.
- Pull: Pull the safety pin located at the top of the fire extinguisher.
- Aim: Aim the nozzle at the fire’s base rather than its top.
- Squeeze: Squeeze the lever gently to release the extinguishing agent.
- Sweep: Sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side to sufficiently cover the fire and prevent it from spreading.
4. Always Face the Fire
Stay alert, and do not turn your back on the fire even if you think it appears to be extinguished.
This precaution is necessary as concealed hot spots might reignite and flare up again.
Read More: Fire Sprinkler vs Fire Suppression Malaysia: A Comparison
Safeguarding Your Business, People and Property
We understand that equipping your business in Malaysia with the appropriate fire extinguishers is a multifaceted process.
Our experienced and trained consultants can advise and provide a range of fire extinguishers for your business’s fire safety needs.
Stay safe and compliant with Palcon’s comprehensive services that enhance the fire safety of your business environment and building!
