Lorry extinguishers.

[TFEM]

Hi all...have been watching these pages for some time now but have only just found the need to register and ask for help!!
My customer runs several lorries which are equipped with the correct number of portable extinguishers. However having just attended to carry out the annual service , I have been confronted with several new lorries with non-kitemarked extinguishers supplied by the lorry manufacturer and the handles have basically fallen apart in the vehicle boxes. I have told my customer that they should be kitemarked units but apparently the lorry manufacturer has questioned this stating that all their vehicles are provided with these units and as they carry the CE mark they are OK.
I have had a further look at the ADR regulations and it simply says that the extinguishers should bear a mark of compliance with a standard recognized by a competent authority and should comply with the relevant requirements of BS EN 3.....but does this mean it must be kitemarked?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
John

[nearlythere]

I have had a further look at the ADR regulations and it simply says that the extinguishers should bear a mark of compliance with a standard recognized by a competent authority and should comply with the relevant requirements of BS EN 3.....but does this mean it must be kitemarked?

In a word No. One generally has to accept a European Standard as being adequate.

[kurnal]

If they have fallen to bits so quickly I wonder if they may be counterfeit?

[Chris Houston]

I'd suggest in the circumstances that your drivers might be wise to include the extinguishers in their daily checks.

[John Webb]

What type and size of extinguishers are they? (Eg foam, dry powder or...)

[AnthonyB]

More info needed - don't need the supplier, but the brand/manufacturer (will be on the main instruction plate, of list if required).

Will probably be powder's - a 2kg in the cab & sufficient 6,9 or 12's with the load to meet the aggregate.

ADR is a Euro wide regulation, so only CE marking & manufacture to EN3 is required across the board - as for competent authority  this could just be the notified body for the CE mark as oppose to a national standards body.

[f500]

We have just won a contract to service extinguishers for a fair size haulage contractors, because the previous service company installed a certain make of (CE marked) extinguishers which have their handles come off in your hand when you pick them up, thus failing roadside vehicle inspections.
Needless to say, we are currently scrapping all these units on sight now.
The manufacturer is one which most of you will know of.

[AnthonyB]

Two well known potential culprits spring to mind........

I notice that trade extinguishers limited (Tradex) (not to be confused with a similarly named website e-shop) who copied Firex's CE marked range appear to have gone down the pan.

For utter durability (at a price) I would put Amerex stuff in followed by Chubb (Chubb Euro, not TG or Gloria) as they seem indestructible. Although the varioius kitemarked stuff by all the others is generally OK, the valves/handles are far more flimsy in comparison to Amerex stuff, it's just a pity they are priced out of the UK market in most cases

[f500]

They begin with "c" and end in "r"

[TFEM]

These are 6kg powders we are talking about and they are branded for the supplier who also manufactured the transport boxes so not 100% sure who the extinguisher manufacturer is. Visiting again on Sat. so will have another look and get some more info.

[kurnal]

Are there any regulations that cover training of drivers to use these extinguishers?

[f500]

Yes, ADR regulations.

[AnthonyB]

If the transport boxes are made by Jonesco then the branded extinguishers are by Exmon of Spain (http://shop.jonesco-plastics.com/j-ext6kg---6-kg-powder-fire-extinguisher-4-p.asp) and are CE marked and 3rd party certified by Spains version of BSI.

Exmon stuff had a brief flirtation with the UK market in the mid to late 90s but although reasonably priced there were quality issues bandied about and the importer chucked in the towel and you rarely see them still in service over here - very popular in spain though

[TFEM]

AnthonyB...yes these are the ones and now I've looked again I recall the problems with these in the 90's.
So by way of a summary, because these units have been independantly tested by a Spanish 3rd party they meet the ADR requirements despite not having a BS kitemark....is this correct?
Would I also be correct in condemning these units as they are obviously not fit for the job they are intended for and  how would my customer get on with the vehicle manufacturer who supplied them in the first place? (remember they currently state that they conform to the required standard). I guess though it is just a money issue again....supply the cheapest as it's not us that's going to be using them.

[AnthonyB]

You are stuck in a way as they are technically legit - they meet ADR due to the Spanish 3rd party approval - after all Spanish vehicles don't have to buy UK extinguishers to meet ADR.

How old are they - basic trading standards legislation offers some recourse if not fit for purpose. Otherwise it's a case of persuading the customer of the need to change them all due to risk of failure. It's cheaper and more convenient to replace them on service than for them to fall apart during a VOSA roadside inspection & they get a notice for it as well as need to get a replacement quickly.

If you are servicing dead to the letter of the BS you may find you can't get parts for them which is a grounds to condemn - this means that if you take the hose off to check it's clear of obstruction you need to replace the O-ring and if you can't get one that fits.... Personally it's a bit underhand this way so I would rather just condemn outright the faulty ones and recommend replace to the customer, lay all the facts in front of him and let him decide