Class F Extinguishers

[stewbow]

Is there a deffinate requirement for Class F Type Extinguishers to be installed in commercial kitchens using deep fat fryers?

thanks

Stuart

[PhilB]

no

[Ryan]

Its a good thing to have handy, because a severe fire can't really be handled with a fire blanket

[kurnal]

Article 13 (1)
the responsible person ...in order to safeguard the relevant persons......having regard to nature of premises and activity carried on there......must ensure premises equipped with appropriate fire fighting equipment....

Principles of prevention
If deep fat can be eliminated he should do so
If automatic  fixed installations can be provided this should take preference over non automatic equipment

But if artice 13 is to be satisfied using portable non automatc equipment as the selected method of risk control theres nothing better than an F class extinguisher for the job.

[Chris Houston]

It's the only thing that's good enough to put out a fire in one.

Like most things fire safety, the law is vague and open to "assessment".

I think they should have one.

[Ken Taylor]

The insurers might also have a view/'requirement' for kitchens of this nature.

[AnthonyB]

You can have extinguishers other than an F class but they will not touch a fat fire - they tried CO2 and Foam at Heathrow Terminal 1 and it burnt down and at South Mimms Service area & it burnt down, fire blankets were tried at a shopping centre I have had dealings with and it only didn't burn down thanks to a 30 kilo fixed BC Powder system.

If you want to provide fire fighting equipment suited to the risks and if you are interested in property protection and you have fat fryers of over 3litres &/or 300mm dia then you need Wet Chemical - its the only agent, which is why you will not find the F class pictogram on any other type of extinguisher.

One insurer (name escapes me) now makes them a mandatory requirement of providing fire insurance to premises with fryers.

I've watched practical tests of all the different agents and they don't really work, it mainly centre around the temperature of burning fat compared to other liquids (300-400 C as opose to 90)